The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and bilateral ankle tendonitis are alleged to be related to his current back and knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA opinions were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or directly related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010615
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 A26010615.
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 claims for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee; right knee strain with instability (limitation of flexion); and right knee strain with instability (impairment of the knee) have been granted effective December 30, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left and right knees due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee conditions.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches and service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee as secondary to lumbosacral strain (also claimed as low back, spine condition).
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and bilateral hip acetabular tears, which are found to be proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability.
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