The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome right knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate findings in previous VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination that addresses the current nature and severity of his condition, including flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The prior VA examinations were insufficient as they did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements concerning his functional impairment during flare-ups and failed to assess the impairment caused during these periods.
- Claimed conditions
- patellofemoral syndrome right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20060887
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 20060887.
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 Veteran's tinea pedis was found to affect less than five percent of his total body area and exposed areas, not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating. The knee conditions were remanded due to an inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned an effective date of March 20, 2020 for patellofemoral syndrome left knee, right knee limitation of flexion, and patellofemoral syndrome right knee. Other claims were denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2009, to December 31, 2011, and from January 1, 2013, to October 1, 2019. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in finding that his service-connected disabilities alone resulted in unemployability during these periods.
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