The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations, and new evidence is needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.
The deciding factor: New VA examinations are required due to inadequate previous evaluations and the need for updated information regarding current symptomatology and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, left knee, Degenerative changes, left knee, Chondromalacia, right knee, Degenerative changes, right knee, Chronic left ankle tendonitis, Chronic right ankle tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19186779
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,020 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19186779.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, left knee is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination that considers whether the symptoms result in functional equivalent of ankylosis during flare-ups.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal for increased ratings of various knee and toe conditions, as well as associated scars.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal. The claims for compensable ratings and service connection have been remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.