The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and review of non-VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for a comprehensive examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disabilities, including range of motion during flares or repetitive use, as well as the presence of painful scars. The VA examiner will provide these assessments which are necessary to determine appropriate ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- status post left total ankle arthroplasty with implant, right knee arthroscopic intervention, right ankle synovitis, left knee scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2024
- Citation
- 24010263
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 24010263.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as it found that the benefits originally sought have been granted in full, and thus there is no longer a specific error of fact or law to address.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee scar, and the appeal is dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment for the periods on appeal prior to May 2, 2020, and after June 1, 2020. For the period from March 2, 2020, to June 1, 2020, she was in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating for total left wrist fusion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee scar associated with total left knee arthroplasty is denied. The claims of service connection for right knee and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.
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.