The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right shoulder, left collar bone, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners did not consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding his in-service injuries and symptoms, nor did they address how these align with known medical knowledge or implausibility.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Right Shoulder Strain","diagnosis":"Left shoulder injury in August 1979 and right shoulder injury in July 1980, as shown in the Veteran's STRs"}, {"condition_name":"Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis","diagnosis":"Broken left collar bone in August 1979 or broken right collar bone in July 1980 that the Veteran claims to have sustained in his lay statements and claim forms"}, {"condition_name":"Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis","diagnosis":"Broken left collar bone in August 1979 or broken right collar bone in July 1980 that the Veteran claims to have sustained in his lay statements and claim forms"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20017787
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.