The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability, except for a remand on the issue of entitlement to a separate compensable disability rating for right knee instability prior to November 7, 2016. The case is being remanded to obtain an expert medical opinion regarding the presence and severity of right knee instability before that date.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient explanation in its denial of a compensable rating for right knee instability prior to November 7, 2016, based on the Veteran's testimony and pre-November 2016 examination results. The Court agreed and ordered the case remanded to obtain an expert opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Instability, Right Knee Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22027236
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 22027236.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee meniscal tear, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence is in balance, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
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