The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left and right knee replacements due to inconclusive findings regarding bilateral knee instability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was deemed incomplete as it did not address whether the Veteran has ever suffered from instability of either knee during the periods on appeal, leading to the need for an additional remand.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee total arthroplasty, right knee total replacement
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22000879
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 remands the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right and left knee total arthroplasty to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of pain medication.
- Granted
The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee total arthroplasty, finding that the chronic residuals more nearly approximated severe painful motion or weakness.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance status.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right and left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on painful range of motion.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.