The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding that her condition manifested with limitation of flexion of 30 degrees or less at any time during the appeal period, warranting the higher 20 percent evaluation under DC 5260. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (including sciatica) was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her flexion limitation did not reach 30 degrees or less at any time during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (including sciatica)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003463
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 21003463.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected back and sciatica disabilities. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the severity and functional impact of his knee and ankle disabilities.
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