The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's knees, including a reduction in disability rating for left knee ACL reconstruction and increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative changes of the right knee. The remand is due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's lay statements about intermittent instability in his left knee.
The deciding factor: The decision was made based on the need for a new VA examination to address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding intermittent left knee instability, as required by the Court's order in Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- left knee ACL reconstruction, osteoarthritis, left knee, degenerative changes, right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21007741
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 21007741.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for left knee extension and a separate 10 percent rating for instability, while denying an increased rating for flexion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating higher than 70% for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for higher ratings for ankle sprains were denied, but separate 10 percent ratings for ankle instability were granted. The claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis and TDIU was remanded.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.
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.