The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 26, 2016, for a separate rating for right knee instability and left knee instability. The claims for higher ratings based on limitation of motion and instability of the knees, separate ratings for meniscus conditions of the knees, and secondary service connection claims were remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of instability more than one year prior to May 26, 2016, which would warrant an earlier effective date. The claims for higher ratings and separate ratings required further development and were remanded accordingly.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee instability, left knee instability, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee with degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, meniscus condition of the knees, hip disabilities (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities), skin rash (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities), obesity (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities), hypertension (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities), coronary artery disease (CAD) (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25014955
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,500 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25014955.
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 Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right knee instability, right knee tendonitis, and right femur fracture are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability associated with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion associated with tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is denied.
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