The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back has been reopened, while his claims for left knee sepsis and bilateral hand disorder have been remanded. The effective date for a 50% rating for limited extension of the left knee remains unresolved.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the last denial raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the low back, left knee sepsis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18108095
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 18108095.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severance of service connection for radiculopathy and ratings for back strain and knee conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been established for degenerative disc disease of the low back, a meniscal tear with degenerative changes in bilateral knees, an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the right knee, and PTSD.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are related to his death. The appeals were not about exposure to herbicides or any other specific conditions.
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