The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and/or left ankle disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found the February 2023 VA examination inadequate for adjudication purposes due to failure to consider the Veteran's lay contentions regarding continuous right knee symptomatology since service and prior to the post-service fall, as well as the February 2022 private opinion indicating gait changes due to left leg injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23046532
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 23046532.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of both feet, which qualifies her for an allowance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding increased disability evaluations for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left hand ring finger as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, osseous & subluxation stenosis of lumbar foramina, is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective February 9, 2024. The other service connection claims are also granted.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.