The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition has been reopened, and the issue of an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease of the patellofemoral joint is being remanded. The issue of a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains unresolved.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing his lower back condition was incurred in service, but new and material evidence has been submitted that suggests the possibility of direct service connection. The left knee issue is being remanded for further evaluation as it may warrant a higher rating. The pseudofolliculitis barbae claim remains unresolved.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back condition, left knee degenerative joint disease of the patellofemoral joint, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19175325
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 19175325.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for both a lower back condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date, and the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, including thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service due to an accident during training in 1963.
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