The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip disability and right leg disability due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated without presumptive exposure, and a new opinion is needed on whether they are related to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the possible nexus between bilateral subchondral cysts of the hips and service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. A new opinion must be obtained before the claims can be decided on the merits.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of both hips (bilateral hip disability), Subchondral cysts of both hips, Right leg disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049208
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 20049208.
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 foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right leg and right ankle disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for his left knee scar, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to cooperate with scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to provide adequate VA examinations and opinions, particularly regarding exposure to burn pits and other toxins (BPOTs) during his service in the Persian Gulf.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VHA decision denying PCAFC benefits was inadequate due to insufficient discussion of relevant medical evidence and remanded for further action.
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