The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including whether there are any ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, sprain, incomplete ligament tear, complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, patellar instability involving the patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability after surgical repair that has required a prescription from a medical provider for a brace, cane, and/or walker, and additional functional impairment due to pain, excess fatigability, incoordination, and weakness. The case is being remanded for these purposes.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current VA examination did not address whether the Veteran has patellar instability or any of the additional findings of instability now contemplated in the revised rating criteria, which became effective February 7, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee degenerative changes, painful and limited flexion of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2022
- Citation
- 22006566
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 22006566.
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 case is remanded for further evidentiary development, including the scheduling of an in-person examination or a retrospective estimate from an examiner based on a review of the records.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance for TBI residuals. The evidence did not show a need for a higher level of care by a licensed professional.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the initial rating claims for right knee degenerative changes and status post left leg compartment release due to insufficient motion loss estimates during flare-ups provided by VA clinicians.
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