The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board is requesting further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee conditions, including DJD and a ruptured quadriceps tendon.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements and medical records from prior to service connection being granted.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee chondromalacia patellae (CMP), right knee chondromalacia patellae (CMP), left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), ruptured left quadriceps tendon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21040034
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 21040034.
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 identified issues for remand related to service connection claims and effective date determinations. The appellant's appeal includes multiple conditions, including a headache disability, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board is directed to address the issues of service connection for these conditions and determine appropriate effective dates.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because his requests to appeal were not timely filed, and he did not provide good cause for the delay.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements and needs additional information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee DJD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his active service and that it had its onset during service.
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