The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and treatment records, and to address the issues of service connection for chronic low back pain, bilateral pes planus, GERD, and left shoulder scars.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided testimony regarding worsening symptoms related to his gastrointestinal disability, left shoulder scarring, and underlying left shoulder condition. Additionally, there is a gap in VA treatment records since the last examination of the Veteran's left shoulder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, postoperative residuals of excision, distal half, left clavicle and disc, with traumatic arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, bilateral pes planus, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), scar of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1713043
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 1713043.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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