The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The decision requires further evaluation by a VA examiner to assess the impact of medication on the Veteran's symptoms and related impairment, as well as whether there is functional equivalent of ankylosis in any affected joints or spine.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee strain with tendinopathy, mild chondromalacia, and a small septated baker cyst, right knee strain with tendinopathy and tricompartmental chondromalacia, left shoulder osteoarthritis, residuals of a SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) tear status post reconstruction with tendinopathy and impingement syndrome, right shoulder osteoarthritis with tendinopathy and impingement syndrome, lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26001945
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 A26001945.
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 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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