The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims have been granted effective from November 23, 2019.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide an opinion on potential functional ankylosis in either spinal region, which is required to determine if higher ratings are warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040306
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 A26040306.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome were granted a 20 percent rating, effective from January 8, 2021. The Veteran also received restoration of the 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, including pain and instability. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination regarding the appropriate disability ratings for these conditions.
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