The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected orthopedic disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and potential interrelatedness with other issues.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations were found to be inadequate, which could significantly impact the evaluation of related conditions. Additionally, there is a potential interrelation between the claims for increased evaluations of degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy left and right lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Hip, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Hip, Limitation of Abduction, Adduction, Internal Rotation, and External Rotation of the Left Hip, Limitation of Extension of the Right Hip, Limitation of Flexion of the Left Hip, Limitation of Flexion of the Right Hip, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20046742
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 20046742.
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 right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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