The Board has remanded two cases for further evaluation: one regarding the Veteran's right retropatellar arthrosis and another concerning her lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain. The VA examinations were not conducted as per the previous directives, leading to a need for additional evaluations.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not address the Veteran’s contentions about flare-ups and private treatment records, which are crucial for assessing functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- right retropatellar arthrosis, lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20061190
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 20061190.
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 restored the previously assigned 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective December 1, 2022. The rating for lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain remains unchanged. TDIU prior to March 7, 2016, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether her past incontinence is related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability and developing the issue of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain effective April 8, 2007.,A 10 percent rating has been assigned for right ankle arthrosis since May 18, 2004.,Sinusitis is rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2004.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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