The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left upper extremity disabilities, including left supraspinatus tendinopathy and left acromioclavicular joint arthritis. The issues on appeal are related to increased ratings for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The November 2017 VA examination was deemed inadequate due to the examiner's inability to provide a reliable prediction of decreased functional ability during flare-ups or when the left extremity is used repeatedly over a period of time, and the failure to ascertain adequate information from relevant sources regarding frequency, duration, characteristics, severity, or functional loss during such scenarios.
- Claimed conditions
- left supraspinatus tendinopathy, left acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis, left upper extremity disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18139953
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 18139953.
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 Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related conditions have necessitated a higher level of care, including hospitalization and skilled home health care. The Board has granted SMC at the (r)(2) rate based on this need.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2023 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and special monthly compensation (SMC).
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety and depression; obstructive sleep apnea; left upper extremity disability; and right upper extremity disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left upper extremity disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing both direct and secondary theories of service connection.
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