The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, neck disorder, left and right hip disorders, and lumbar DJD with sclerosis. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral knee disabilities including as secondary to the service-connected left pes planus disability, rating higher than 20 percent for left pes planus, grade II, with heel spur, and TDIU due to service-connected disability are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence of any claimed disabilities. The Veteran's service treatment records were negative for complaints, treatment, diagnosis or other findings of any impairment of his bilateral shoulders, neck, hips, and lower back. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD) with sclerosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18107495
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18107495.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right ankle disorders as secondary to his left knee disorder. The AOJ must obtain VA examinations and provide answers to questions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
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