The Veteran's claim for left knee disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to a need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied and reopened. The Board finds that service connection is warranted based on evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors.,The right knee disability claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee disability claim.,The Veteran’s COPD rating remains at 30 percent, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if an increased rating is warranted.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been submitted for both claims of service connection. The Board found that the current symptoms are related to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened, and the new evidence provided a link between his current condition and his active service.,The right knee disability is secondary to the left knee disability, which remains remanded for further development.,A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the COPD as it may warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18111852
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 18111852.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
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