The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of these conditions. The Veteran also seeks service connection for hip disabilities secondary to his knees.
The deciding factor: Further evaluation is needed to accurately assess the current extent and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, including any additional symptoms such as bowel and bladder dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, memory loss/psychiatric impairment, and gastrointestinal impairment (including GERD).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Instability, Left Knee Instability, Right Hip Disability (secondary to bilateral knee disabilities), Left Hip Disability (secondary to bilateral knee disabilities), Right Wrist Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Wrist Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Knee Disability (based on limitation of motion), Right Knee Disability (based on limitation of motion)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074961
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 21074961.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for right knee instability, but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the effects of pain medication.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
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