The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder condition and alcohol dependence may be related to his service-connected cervical spine condition, but more evidence is needed to determine this.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current right shoulder disabilities are likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spondylosis and cervical degenerative disc disease. The alcohol abuse diagnosis was less likely due to his service-connected depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder condition, alcohol dependence
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19187720
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal requests for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to untimeliness, as the appeals were not filed within one year of the respective rating decisions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, left wrist, left and right knee, and left and right shoulder conditions due to missing personnel records and an inadequate VA medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including left and right leg, arm, knee, shoulder, kidney, plantar fasciitis, and back conditions, as further development is needed to address pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions as new and relevant evidence was not submitted since the April 2005 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.