The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, upper extremity radiculopathy, and osteoarthritis. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion prior to March 2, 2017, and from March 2, 2017; compensable ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy; and compensable ratings for right and left upper extremity disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include scars, osteoarthritis of the knee, degenerative disc disease at C4-C5 and C5-C6 levels, and neuritis of the infrapatellar cutaneous nerve.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development was needed to fully evaluate the severity of the Veteran’s service-connected right knee disabilities and associated upper extremity radiculopathy due to potential functional loss during flare-ups which could not be adequately addressed in the previous examination reports.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Scars, Osteoarthritis (ostearthritis) of the right knee, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) at C4-C5 and C5-C6 levels, Neuritis of the infrapatellar cutaneous nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18154837
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18154837.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 13, 2018, for the award of service connection for right knee scars and right knee disability. The appeal is based on a direct finding without any presumption or secondary linkage to another condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee disorders, including painful motion and scars, are rated at the minimum compensable level. The claim for a higher rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the number of right knee scars and whether they have been painful throughout the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted separate ratings of 30 percent for right knee limitation of flexion and extension, as well as a rating of 20 percent for right knee instability. The reduction in the Veteran's disability evaluation for her right knee scars was improper, and the 10 percent rating is restored.
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