The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome and his active duty service or his service-connected left clavicle disability.
The deciding factor: The opinion obtained did not address whether the Veteran’s claimed thoracic outlet syndrome was caused by or related to service, nor whether it was aggravated by his service-connected left clavicle disability.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic outlet syndrome, left clavicle disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20021112
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20021112.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service due to overuse of his arms during deployment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the condition existed prior to service and, if so, whether it was aggravated by service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for service-connected cervical strain from February 19, 2023 to September 17, 2023 and a 40 percent disability rating for right ulnar nerve radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for pectoralis minor injury and thoracic outlet syndrome were remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration of additional evidence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.