The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided did not address whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine, left and right hip conditions were aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Hip, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Hip
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24043990
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24043990.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip and left knee conditions have been granted.,Service connection has been established for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and patellofemoral degenerative changes of the left knee.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
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