The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for left knee instability from January 1, 2019 to June 1, 2021 and granted a temporary total rating based on surgery necessitating convalescence for the left knee disability from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. The Board has also granted SMC at the housebound rate for the period from December 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. However, the Veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.
The deciding factor: The January 2018 VA examination used to justify the reduction from 20% to 10% was found to be inadequate and did not include range of motion testing for passive motion, non-weight-bearing circumstances, or assessment of flare-ups. The Board also noted that the Veteran's left knee disability will prospectively be rated under Diagnostic Code 5055 following his total knee replacement.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2022
- Citation
- 22026744
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22026744.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including any new evidence provided by the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee flexion limitation, and instability of the left knee are all rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right knee scar is not compensable. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
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