The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for various knee disabilities and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations to determine the severity of her service-connected knee disabilities, including whether she requires assistance with daily activities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that evidentiary development is still required before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, as the Veteran's docket choice was unclear and additional evidence submitted after the AOJ decision cannot be considered by the Board.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Limitation of Flexion, Left Knee Limitation of Flexion, Right Knee Limitation of Extension, Right Knee Instability and Subluxation, Left Knee Instability and Subluxation, Left Knee Symptomatic Residuals of Semilunar Cartilage Removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26018821
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 A26018821.
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 Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion and for an initial compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension due to stable symptomatology throughout the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's disability ratings for right knee hemarthrosis, limitation of flexion, and diastolic dysfunction were denied. The reduction in the rating for right knee hemarthrosis was also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for right knee instability and limitation of extension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not require a prescription from a medical provider for a brace or cane.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee limitation of flexion and extension, finding that no new evidence was received prior to the assigned effective dates.
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