The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and scars have been remanded due to substantial worsening of symptoms. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current extent and severity of these disabilities.
The deciding factor: Substantial worsening of symptoms has been reported by the Veteran during his March 2022 Board hearing, necessitating further examination to assess the current status of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disorders, as well as his service-connected MDD.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Disorder, status post-surgery with limitation of flexion, Left Knee Disorder, status post-surgery with osteoarthritis, Right Knee Disorder, status post reconstruction surgery, with degenerative arthritis, Right Knee Disorder, with limitation of extension, Bilateral Knee Scars, status post-surgery, Chronic Low Back Strain, with degenerative osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23016622
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 23016622.
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 Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is found to have begun during their active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected MDD with PTSD was denied. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, despite the Veteran maintaining full-time employment.
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