The claim of service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate examination.
The deciding factor: The previous examination did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his current knee disabilities. The examiner also did not provide opinions on the private medical opinions submitted by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis of the L5-S1, myofascial pain syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disk disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18151636
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 18151636.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating for muscle atrophy due to thoracic outlet syndrome and related conditions has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board is requesting additional examinations and medical opinions to determine if his back condition and acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to events in service and grants service connection for a back disability.
- Granted
The appellant is granted SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1) based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, foot drop conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, overactive bladder, and various musculoskeletal issues. He does not qualify for higher rates due to the anatomical loss or use of extremities.
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