The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was caused by VA treatment during his total right knee replacement surgery in 2009.
The deciding factor: The Board found that both pertinent medical opinions were inadequate and required another opinion to determine if the Veteran's additional lumbar spine disability was caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19156842
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 19156842.
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 claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease from July 23, 2009 was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine exceeds 30 degrees.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease and/or lentigo malignant melanoma.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease is rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.
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