The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and left knee patellar chondromalacia with enthesophyte formation at the quadratus femoris tendon due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran will be scheduled for further examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous VA examination reports were inadequate, lacking sufficient detail regarding range of motion measurements and functional loss during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (back disability), left knee patellar chondromalacia with enthesophyte formation at the quadratus femoris tendon (left knee disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26011452
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26011452.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain medical records related to physical therapy for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as these records were not previously associated with the Veteran's VA electronic file.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the evidence inadequate to determine if the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are related to his active-duty service, requiring further examination and consideration of additional medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that it is not related to his military service and is more likely age-related.
- Granted
An initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease (back disability) from March 5, 2008 to July 28, 2021 is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.