The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The July 2011/May 2019/July 2020 VA examiners did not sufficiently address secondary service connection for the eye disorder or provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected multiple sclerosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Eye Disorder, Lumbar Spine Strain, Left Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome, Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21001400
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 21001400.
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 dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and has remanded his claims for initial rating determinations due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, including pain and instability. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination regarding the appropriate disability ratings for these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and meniscal disorder, is rated at 30 percent effective December 4, 2018.
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