The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, post-knee joint replacement.
The deciding factor: The last examination was conducted in May 2013 and does not reflect the current state of the Veteran's condition based on his recent complaints and medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee Replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183776
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for right knee replacement, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and a total disability rating for individual unemployability.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot disability and acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are granted as service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their effects on his ability to perform activities of daily living, with a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals and a 40 percent rating for limited extension. A separate 10 percent rating has also been granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right feet has been granted with a rating of 20 percent each. However, his request for TDIU remains pending as it was not initially addressed by the AOJ.
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