The Veteran's cervical spine disc degeneration is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's hernia (specifically umbilical hernia and inguinal regions) is denied due to lack of chronicity of care during service.,The Veteran's left knee strain (patellofemoral pain syndrome and chronic sprain) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.,The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is remanded as the VA examiner found no evidence of chronicity of care during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all remanded due to lack of medical records documenting ongoing treatment or diagnosis in service.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence linking the cervical spine disc degeneration to active duty service. The VA examiner found that there was no chronicity of care documented during service.,The Veteran's hernia (specifically umbilical hernia and inguinal regions) did not show chronicity of care, as evidenced by lack of medical records documenting ongoing treatment or diagnosis in service.,There is conflicting evidence regarding the onset of left knee strain. The May 2019 VA opinion found a positive nexus to service, while the November 2019 and March 2020 opinions found no chronicity of care during service.,The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain did not show chronicity of care as evidenced by lack of medical records documenting ongoing treatment or diagnosis in service.,For lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder, there is a lack of medical evidence showing ongoing treatment or diagnosis during service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disc degeneration, hernia (specifically umbilical hernia and inguinal regions), left knee strain (patellofemoral pain syndrome and chronic sprain), left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2024
- Citation
- A24035724
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 A24035724.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied his claim for right knee disorder. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg disorder and lumbar spine disorder.
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