The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disability and right foot disability. The issues include seeking service connection for these conditions, as well as higher ratings for other disabilities such as degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left foot hallux valgus with left big toe degenerative joint disease, and hammertoes of the left foot. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further examination was needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed shoulder disability and right foot disability, as well as the current severity of his service-connected back, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder disability, right foot disability, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left foot hallux valgus with left big toe degenerative joint disease, hammertoes of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19190810
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 19190810.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability and left foot disability as the evidence did not support that the preexisting conditions worsened beyond their natural progression during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions of the left and right hands, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and foot, but granted service connection for a right knee disability and fibromyalgia. The decision was based on medical evidence that did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.
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