The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his service-connected hip disorder. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.
The deciding factor: The current evidence does not provide sufficient information on whether the Veteran’s left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected hip disorder, necessitating further examination and analysis.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hip scarring, left knee disorder (degenerative joint disease)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20013167
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 20013167.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his knee disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his current knee conditions are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disorders, each diagnosed as DJD. The Veteran experienced recurrent symptoms of these conditions since separation from service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) in both knees and a right hand disorder, but denied an increased rating for the status post compression fracture of T12 and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the left fourth finger.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions, and the medical opinion provided did not support a nexus between any diagnosed condition and service.
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.