The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process related to service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee conditions. The claims are being remanded to allow for further review and consideration of these issues.
The deciding factor: The Board found pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors regarding the examination reports provided by VA and the lack of a direct medical opinion for the claimed right and left knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disease, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26022691
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 A26022691.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left ankle condition have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the condition began during service and is not due to any in-service aggravation.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of both feet, which qualifies her for an allowance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding increased disability evaluations for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left hand ring finger as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.
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