The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and a respiratory condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: Remand is required because VA failed to provide the Veteran with an appropriate examination as they were unable to contact him after scheduling examinations, which was not documented in the file.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, respiratory condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25025464
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine pain, allergic rhinitis, and recurrent yeast infections. The claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and left knee pain were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee pain as there was no evidence of record to support a finding that the Veteran's current knee pain began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and an initial 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome with pinguecula, while denying service connection for other psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions. Some claims were remanded for further development.
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