The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for right knee strain from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 11, 2017, was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior rating. The Veteran's cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and scar, residual injury right ring finger disabilities are all remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the rating was improper due to inadequate medical evidence supporting the claim of improvement in the Veteran's disability.
- Claimed conditions
- moderate degenerative changes of the cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, scar, residual injury right ring finger
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18161158
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 18161158.
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 Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, shin splints of the right leg, and shin splints of the left leg are being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical nexus opinions.
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