The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to conflicting opinions on whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing his spine condition. The rating decisions for right and left knee disabilities remain unchanged.
The deciding factor: A new medical opinion is required to determine if the Veteran’s obesity, related to his service-connected knee disabilities, is a substantial factor in causing his lumbar spine disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disorder, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20056928
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20056928.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected IBS, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for a right foot disorder require further examination and consideration due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in functional loss due to pain, instability, and required the use of a walker. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.
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