The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examinations and missing treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous VA examinations did not comply with regulations requiring joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing, and measurements of the opposite undamaged joint. Additionally, the Board noted a lack of VA treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) - C5-6 cervical spine, Chondromalacia patella, right knee, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) - Glenohumeral joint, left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19168577
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 19168577.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal for increased ratings of various knee and toe conditions, as well as associated scars.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with panic attacks, but remanded the issues regarding knee ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent disabling for chondromalacia patella, right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, prior to May 7, 2014.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic disease, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, migraines, tinnitus, scar, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.
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