The Veteran's bilateral shoulder sprains and thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease prior to May 4, 2013 were not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's knee disorders and right foot calluses since May 4, 2013 are remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s shoulder sprains or thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease prior to May 4, 2013 met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.,Further medical evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's knee disorders and right foot calluses are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Sprain, Right Shoulder Sprain, Thoracolumbar Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151000
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 18151000.
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 claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the criteria for a TDIU were not met prior to September 30, 2019.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased evaluations for upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder sprain.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent since March 30, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection for a neurological condition related to his right shoulder.
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