The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to his Merchant Marine service not qualifying as active military service. The Board also found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's Merchant Marine service does not qualify as active military service due to its timing outside the recognized dates. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but noted that medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and onset of his psychiatric condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disorder, Innocently Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 29, 2012
- Citation
- 1222788
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 1222788.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and anxiety disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are not being granted earlier than November 25, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate etiology opinions in the previous decision. The case will be reviewed with a VA examiner to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's current shoulder conditions and his military service.
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.