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Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)PACT Act

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative joint disease and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection for the low back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia) is remanded due to incomplete information regarding service connection criteria.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and insomnia, may be related to Gulf War service.

The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran’s flexion is limited to no less than 110 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service. Service connection may be established based on Gulf War service.,The VA examiner’s opinion did not adequately address the issue of aggravation or provide sufficient rationale.

Claimed conditions
Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Depression and Insomnia), Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Low Back Condition
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 7, 2020
Citation
20065230

Veterans Law Judge

D. JOHNSON

Decisions by this judge: 1,861 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 20065230.

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.

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