The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been reopened. The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder. However, the appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims for secondary service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disorders.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's previous denial of service connection for bilateral knee pain was final due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of notification. New evidence has been received since the January 2002 rating decision, including VA treatment records indicating a current left knee disorder. The appeal is remanded as there are still unresolved issues regarding secondary service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Disorder, Right Hip Disorder, Left Hip Disorder, Low Back Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19173469
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 19173469.
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 remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disorders due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining an adequate nexus opinion prior to the June 2021 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset and relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 70 percent for Persistent Depressive Disorder, the rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA, and the compensable rating for Migraine Headaches are all denied. Service connection for a Left Knee Disorder is also denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.