The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back pain, bilateral shoulder disorder (right and left), and left elbow disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 2015 rating decisions.,Service connection will be granted for these conditions as they are found to be related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's statements and lay statements from fellow service members describe continuous symptoms since service, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Low Back Pain","diagnosis_codes":["D45.010","M53.89"]}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Shoulder Disorder (Right and Left)","diagnosis_codes":["M52.71","M52.72"]}, {"condition_name":"Left Elbow Disorder","diagnosis_codes":["M60.89"]}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19165087
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 19165087.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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