The VA is instructed to attempt to locate the appellant's service medical records and provide him with an authorization form for release of his National Guard records. If these efforts are unsuccessful, they should conduct a direct search with Fort Knox Army Hospital for any record of the appellant's treatment between August 1984 to December 1984.
The deciding factor: The VA failed to locate the appellant's service medical records and is instructed to attempt to obtain them through appropriate means.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a right shoulder injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2007
- Citation
- 0708831
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 0708831.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Several other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 2, 2016. From April 2, 2016 to June 27, 2016, the Veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The appeal for TDIU is now moot as he is already receiving SMC.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that his combined rating is insufficient to qualify him for TDIU, and there was no evidence of exceptional circumstances warranting an extraschedular evaluation.
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.