The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for left deltoid atrophy secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability and an increased rating claim for osteopenia of the left shoulder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address whether his left deltoid muscle atrophy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The examiner must determine if the Veteran's left deltoid muscle atrophy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his left shoulder disability and right wrist disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- left deltoid atrophy, osteopenia of the left shoulder, degenerative joint disease of the AC joint, chronic calcific tendinitis of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18131279
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 18131279.
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 Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 12, 2013.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was also denied a rating in excess of 30 percent from November 12, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral knee disorders have been granted a 100% evaluation effective August 27, 2015.,The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder osteopenia, left and right hip osteopenia with synovitis, right knee osteopenia/strain based on instability, and left knee osteopenia/strain based on instability have been granted a 20% evaluation effective September 10, 2014.
- Granted
The veteran's left shoulder disability and left deltoid atrophy are currently rated 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the veteran is entitled to a separate evaluation of 10 percent for his painful left shoulder surgical scar, but denied increased ratings for his left shoulder and left deltoid disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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