The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability prior to December 5, 2016, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 5, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in August 2012 and December 2016. The Veteran is required to be afforded a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous determinations were based on inadequate VA examinations, which did not conduct all testing required by 38 C.F.R. § 4.59.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Instability, Right Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20059021
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 20059021.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for right knee instability, but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the effects of pain medication.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
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