The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome is related to service, specifically during active duty. The case is being remanded again as the previous instructions have not been complied with.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an additional medical opinion was required to address all relevant evidence of record and determine if the Veteran's reports of arm numbness during active duty were etiologically linked to the thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed after service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic outlet syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1717394
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 1717394.
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 granted service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service due to overuse of his arms during deployment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the condition existed prior to service and, if so, whether it was aggravated by service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for service-connected cervical strain from February 19, 2023 to September 17, 2023 and a 40 percent disability rating for right ulnar nerve radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for pectoralis minor injury and thoracic outlet syndrome were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration of additional evidence.
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