The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee scar is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for neck/cervical spine disability, left knee disability (including as secondary to service-connected ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella), lumbar strain, ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella, and lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee scar is painful but not unstable. The Board finds that a higher 10 percent rating is warranted for the service-connected right knee scar under Diagnostic Code 7805 throughout the rating period on appeal.,No VA examiner has opined whether any current neck/cervical spine disability began in service or is secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The Board finds that a remand for an addendum opinion is warranted for the examiner to assess whether the Veteran’s left knee pain results in functional impairment that affects his earning capacity.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Scar, Neck/Cervical Spine Disability, Left Knee Disability (including as secondary to service-connected ruptured patellar or quadriceps tendon proximal to the right patella), Lumbar Strain, Ruptured Patellar or Quadriceps Tendon Proximal to the Right Patella, Lateral Epicondylitis of the Left Elbow
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21011945
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 21011945.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee instability, limited range of motion (ROM), and scar are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee flexion limitation, and instability of the left knee are all rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right knee scar is not compensable. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and right knee scar was denied, with the effective date being December 3, 2012.
- Granted
The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for GERD is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
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