The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right hip and knee conditions due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the low back claim. The VA must examine whether any neurological abnormalities are attributable to the low back, and if so, whether there is a separate disability of the right hip or knee causing pain with functional loss.
The deciding factor: The claims for service connection of right hip and knee conditions are inextricably intertwined with the low back claim due to their interrelated nature. The VA must examine whether any neurological abnormalities are attributable to the low back, and if so, whether there is a separate disability of the right hip or knee causing pain with functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle osteoarthritis, Right hip condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21006915
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 21006915.
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 claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip condition, finding that the Veteran's back pain is aggravated by his right hip surgery.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right hip condition, which could be related to his active-duty service. The claim will be reconsidered with the provision of an appropriate examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right thigh condition, as well as service connection for hip conditions.
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