The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s sleep apnea were found to be insufficient and speculative, necessitating a new examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20046004
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20046004.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful left knee scar and remanded the other issues for further development.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for the Veteran's left and right ankle injuries, chronic kidney disease, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for hypertension.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for umbilical hernia, hiatal hernia, RLS and periodic leg movement disorder (left knee), and awarded a 10% disability rating effective October 5, 2016.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities.
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