The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, back, right ankle, and sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) service connection. The claims are being remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: Additional medical examination and records review are required to determine if there is a link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Left Shoulder Disorder","diagnoses":["left scapular muscle strain","a/c separation first degree versus second degree","supraspinatus/tenosynovitis","left shoulder tendonitis"],"current_diagnosis":"left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis"}, {"condition_name":"Back Disorder","diagnoses":["lumbosacral strain"]}, {"condition_name":"Right Ankle Disorder","diagnoses":["ankle strain s/p internal fixation"],"additional_notes":["Treated at Hunt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Texas"]}, {"condition_name":"Sleep Disorder (to include Sleep Apnea)","diagnoses":["sleep apnea"]}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19161408
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 19161408.
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 Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 20, 2023 for a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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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.