The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the August 2020 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain.
The deciding factor: The evidence submitted by the Veteran includes statements from himself and his spouse, private treatment records, and an October 2020 private medical opinion that found a nexus between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's service. The RO denied the claim because new and relevant evidence had not been received since the August 2020 rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), Lumbosacral strain, Left hip strain, Right hip strain, Right knee strain
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26026676
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 A26026676.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete record development regarding his National Guard service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
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