The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disorders. The claims will be reviewed after these opinions are obtained.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the diagnosed conditions without considering or referencing the absence of significant medical evidence in the service treatment records relating to the claimed disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee strain, DDD and arthritis of cervical spine, arthritis and DDD of lumbar spine, DJD of left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1553019
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1553019.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, shin splints of the right leg, and shin splints of the left leg are being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical nexus opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain, limitation of extension and flexion were both denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
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