The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.
The deciding factor: The examinations provided by the AOJ were not adequate as they did not account for the severity of flare-ups and the reliability of the Veteran's statements.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2026
- Citation
- 26002571
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 26002571.
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 left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis was restored to a 20 percent rating effective from October 22, 2009. The reduction of the disability rating from 20 to 10 percent was found to be improper due to insufficient evidence showing improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination report, and a retrospective opinion from an orthopedist is needed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome and associated left and right cervical radiculopathy, but remanded claims related to a disability rating for chronic lumbosacral strain and bilateral ankle conditions.
- Partly granted
The veteran's increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy to 70% and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance were granted. Other issues related to muscle and shoulder disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability, were remanded.
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