The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by memory loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities prior to February 8, 2017 are denied as the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and etiological opinions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of disability manifested by memory loss. The Veteran's medical records do not reflect any diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,The Veteran's radiculopathy has been rated at the maximum available rating (40 percent) and there is no additional evidence that would warrant an increase in rating beyond 10 percent.,VA clinical records from the mid-2000s to 2014 focus more on complaints of cervical radiculopathy rather than lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran's bilateral lumbar radiculopathy is characterized as intermittent with sharp pain and numbness resulting in mild incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee and shoulder conditions, thus remand for such examinations is necessary under McClendon v. Nicholson (2006).,The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome spondylolisthesis and arthritis could be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his knee and shoulder conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Memory loss, Right Shoulder Disorder, Left Shoulder Disorder, Right Knee Disorder, Left Knee Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20035240
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 20035240.
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 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.
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