The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee total knee replacement, a separate disability rating for instability, and service connection for chest pain (costochondritis). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional evidence was needed and remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and the nature and etiology of his chest pain.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee total knee replacement, chronic left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee collateral ligament strain, instability, chest pain (costochondritis)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20057398
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 20057398.
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 Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder (MDD) is granted with a 100 percent disability rating effective December 18, 2018. The Board also grants TDIU from the same date.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed conditions are inadequate and remanded to obtain new, adequate opinions. The claims for service connection for various disabilities remain pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to evidentiary deficiencies and procedural issues, including failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with updated medical evidence and further evaluation.
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.