The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hip conditions as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to incomplete examination and duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an adequate opinion on secondary service connection, which constitutes a predecisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the left hip, degenerative joint disease of the right hip
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2024
- Citation
- A24049681
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 A24049681.
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 granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including various musculoskeletal conditions and mental health disorders.
- Partly granted
The Board grants service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip.,The Board grants service connection for bilateral tinea pedis.,The Board denies service connection for hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including neck disability, shoulder disability, and various joint issues. The decision was based on errors in duty to assist and the need for further development of the evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, and right knee. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.
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