The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain with degenerative changes and bicipital tendonitis of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease. The case is being remanded due to an inability to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because the record did not establish that the requested examinations were properly scheduled, leading to their cancellation.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain with degenerative changes, bicipital tendonitis of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19129116
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for left shoulder disability was granted in full, and the issues of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for right hamstring tendonitis, left elbow bursitis, chronic left ankle sprain, and low back disability were denied or dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that prior to June 20, 2014, there was no evidence showing his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for an abdominal disorder and entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation for a service-connected low back strain with degenerative changes due to insufficient development and notice, as well as to provide additional evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.