The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left knee disability has been remanded. The case was also remanded for additional development in September 2017, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability has been granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate limitation of motion or frequent episodes of locking/effusion sufficient to warrant increased ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by no more than moderate instability, which warrants a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Arthritis, Posttraumatic Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189197
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 19189197.
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 the direct payment of attorney fees for service connection and increased evaluation of OSA with asthma, but denied it for other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent, but not in excess thereof, from February 13, 2009 to February 28, 2017 for left knee arthritis manifested by dislocation of the semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking' pain and effusion into the joint. The Board also granted an evaluation of 10 percent, but not in excess thereof, from February 28, 2017 to January 7, 2018 for left knee instability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, while remanding several other issues.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the left and right knee arthritis as the evidence did not show the Veteran's knee disabilities manifested with any specific criteria required for higher ratings.
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