The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for left knee DJD is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim, but remands it for further development including obtaining an opinion on whether his left knee DJD is related to his active service or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's statements regarding favoring his service-connected right knee disability are new and material evidence that supports reopening of the claim. However, a remand is required for further development including obtaining an opinion on whether his left knee DJD is related to his active service or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to Gulf War service, intestinal disease, to include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18115609
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 18115609.
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 Board has identified issues for remand related to service connection claims and effective date determinations. The appellant's appeal includes multiple conditions, including a headache disability, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board is directed to address the issues of service connection for these conditions and determine appropriate effective dates.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because his requests to appeal were not timely filed, and he did not provide good cause for the delay.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements and needs additional information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee DJD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his active service and that it had its onset during service.
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