The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability and entitlement to an increased rating for status post left total knee replacement with history of anterior ligament reconstruction are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the April 2015 VA examination was insufficient due to its reliance on inaccurate medical history, and thus requires new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left shoulder disability as well as whether it is related to service-connected knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder arthritis, left rotator cuff tear, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1543746
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 1543746.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for left shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff tear (non-dominant), and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinusitis are not service-connected as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, or shoulder arthritis.
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