The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of his symptoms since March 2006.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there has not been substantial compliance with its September 2017 remand directives, specifically regarding the need for retrospective medical opinions on the Veteran's bilateral knee symptoms dating back to his March 2006 claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee limitation of flexion, Right knee instability, Left knee degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21041492
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 21041492.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee impairment, limitation of flexion, and scars. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the aggravation of a preexisting right knee condition during service. The Veteran's right knee condition was noted prior to service, and the VA examiner concluded it did not worsen beyond its natural progression.
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