The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to missing STRs. The claim for service connection for DM2 is also being remanded as it requires additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disorders, the Board found that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and thus denied service connection. The claim for DM2 remains pending due to the need for further evidence on herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not contain any records related to his claimed back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, or DM2. The Board has remanded these claims as additional development is needed regarding the missing STRs and the Veteran's potential herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disorder, Right Knee Disorder, Left Knee Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20031351
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 20031351.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an initial compensable rating for TBI, as new evidence was received. The effective date for service connection for TBI is being remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical records and for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
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