The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee status post arthoplasty. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, but the Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for his degenerative arthritis and a separate rating of 30 percent is warranted for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability prior to June 10, 2016. The Veteran's status post arthoplasty is rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had severe lateral instability or recurrent subluxation of his left knee, warranting a separate rating under DC 5257. The VA examination requested by the Board should provide clarity on this issue and determine if a higher rating is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative arthritis, left knee recurrent subluxation or lateral instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030441
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 20030441.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and shin splints due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination. The case is now pending with a request for a new opinion.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions are granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, as his current conditions are not linked to his military service.
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