The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, is secondary to his service-connected residuals of right great toe fracture and/or service-connected right knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for painful scars, as secondary to left knee replacement, remains remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examiner's opinions were inadequate because they did not consider or discuss the Veteran's lay statements and his spouse's descriptions of a long-standing limp, hitch, or altered gait, which may indicate an altered gait pattern related to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, painful scars
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21000909
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 21000909.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for compartment syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities, reduced the rating for painful scars of the bilateral lower extremities, and denied service connection for various conditions. The decision was not timely filed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is denied because the evidence does not show that he requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.
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.