The Board has determined that the Veteran's 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease S1-S2 with transitional vertebrae S1 was improperly reduced and must be restored. Additionally, the Veteran’s claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities are remanded as new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper due to a lack of compliance with regulations requiring re-examination when reducing a disability rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities must be remanded as new examinations are needed to assess current functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease S1-S2 with transitional vertebrae S1, Right patellofemoral syndrome, Left patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20046197
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 20046197.
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 remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patellofemoral syndrome, and a separate rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted with an effective date of January 1, 2018, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacies in the previous knee examination and to consider service connection for a left knee disability on secondary basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the claims on appeal due to a failure by the RO to comply with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's right foot and left knee disorders are being referred for further examination and opinion.
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