The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral chondromalacia patellae is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.
The deciding factor: The case requires additional evidence, specifically an opinion regarding whether the current bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to service or preexisted service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral chondromalacia patellae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0943501
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 0943501.
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 denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of a current disability or that her symptoms were related to her military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral total knee replacements and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU effective November 27, 2018.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his service did not meet the threshold criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The cause of death (septic shock, third degree AV block, and upper gastrointestinal bleed) is not related to any service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diverticulitis with IBS, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has ordered remand to address the relationship between his PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
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.