The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and knee problems due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding combat injuries and private treatment are accepted, but an addendum opinion is needed from a clinician to consider these factors.
The deciding factor: Incomplete VA examinations require additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay statements about combat injuries and private treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- back problems, knee problems
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20057833
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 20057833.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple myeloma and back problems due to a duty to assist error. For multiple myeloma, the Veteran's exposure to asbestos is not verified. For back problems, an addendum opinion is needed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her training-related injuries.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one is eligible for substitution.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for fracture of the left hand fifth digit neck with apex dorsal angulation was denied as his disability is already rated at its maximum.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back problems, hiatal hernia, and right and left knee problems were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to ensure that VA's responsibilities under the duty to assist are followed. The Veteran is seeking service connection for back, neck, and migraine headaches conditions.
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