The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations of his left knee conditions, including total knee replacement, is denied prior to January 13, 2014. The case is remanded for further action on claims related to secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of severe instability or limitation of motion in the knee joints.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Instability, Left Knee Arthritis, Left Knee Total Arthoplasty (Total Knee Replacement)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19180850
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD from November 25, 2015 to August 12, 2024 and a 40% rating for the right shoulder disability. It also granted 10% ratings for both feet and 20% ratings for knee patellofemoral pain syndromes.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to independently ambulate with the use of braces.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage from February 1, 2023, and also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.