The Board has denied an increased evaluation for left knee instability, as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate 'moderate' subluxation or lateral instability.,An initial compensable evaluation is also denied for post-operative cyst scar of the left wrist due to lack of objective evidence of instability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records do not provide sufficient evidence to support a higher rating based on instability, as there was no significant history or findings of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of Left Little Finger (5th Digit), Left Knee Chondromalacia, Post-operative Cyst Scar of Left Wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19163207
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19163207.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee conditions have been denied. The current evaluations for the right knee under DC 5260 are 10 percent, while those for the left knee under DCs 5260 and 5261 are noncompensable.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's pes planus, left knee lateral meniscus tear, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran was already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for his left knee lateral meniscus tear.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia status post plica surgery due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his left knee instability, and he should be afforded another VA examination to correct this pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement syndrome, left knee and hip chondromalacia, left ankle tendonitis, major depressive disorder, bilateral stress fractures, and a residual fracture of the right middle finger have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards related to housebound status, Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have also been granted.
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