The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating, but his claims for psychiatric, back, and right knee disabilities were remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the Veteran's left knee disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper as there was sustained improvement in the disability. However, the claims for secondary service connection for psychiatric, back, and right knee disabilities were not supported by sufficient evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee lateral meniscal tear, degenerative changes of the meniscus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2023
- Citation
- 23005884
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 23005884.
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 Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated, with the highest available rating of 30 percent for instability since July 31, 2015. A separate 20 percent rating has also been granted for 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint from August 10, 2021. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is rated at a 10 percent level as of August 7, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for back pain, right hip pain, left knee lateral meniscal tear, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder. The issues include determining whether new and material evidence was obtained to reopen these claims, as well as addressing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and evaluating his acquired psychiatric disorder.
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