The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, are remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is referred to the RO.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional development of the Veteran's claims is necessary due to outstanding VA and private medical records not being obtained or considered in the current decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease, right knee, Degenerative joint disease, left knee
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21016000
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 21016000.
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 Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection for hyperlipidemia. The appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted increased 20 percent disability ratings for the back, right knee, and left knee disabilities but denied a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for the right anterior knee scar.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and noting that the conditions began more than 10 years after service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with limitation of extension beginning November 16, 2016, and a 60 percent rating for residuals of a total knee replacement of the left knee beginning February 1, 2020. The other claims were denied.
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