The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to address whether the Veteran's congenital bipartite patella is less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected condition, and if so, what other conditions resulted from this superimposed disease or injury.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the November 2016 VA opinion was inadequate for purposes of adjudicating the claim as it did not provide a clear rationale for its opinions and failed to cite any medical literature used in rendering these opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- bipartite patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1804256
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1804256.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and hip conditions were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, other than bipartite patella, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current condition was incurred during his active duty.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipartite patella of the left knee, finding that it is a congenital defect and not subject to superimposed disease or injury during military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left leg disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and cause of his claimed disabilities. The examiner must address whether any left leg disability/pathology was caused or aggravated by the VA surgical and medical treatment.
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