The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability (prior to January 28, 2015) and right shoulder disability were remanded due to the need for further development. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s claims are being remanded as there is a need for additional information or evidence regarding his increased ratings of bilateral shoulder disabilities and his claim for service connection for sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Osteoarthritis, Right Shoulder Arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18147351
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 18147351.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not a separate and distinct condition from his service-connected thoracotomy pain syndrome, thus denying a separate rating for this condition.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left hand disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The Board finds the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service injuries are not credible due to inconsistencies with contemporaneous medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for right shoulder arthroplasty is granted at a 60 percent rating, and he is awarded a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The residual right shoulder scar does not warrant a compensable rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 11, 2018. A TDIU is also granted.
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