The Board has denied service connection for myofascial pain disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a mid- or upper back disability. The Veteran's left shoulder and arm conditions are already service-connected, so he cannot be granted service connection for myofascial pain disorder. The Board also ordered further examination to determine if the Veteran has a current mid- or upper back disability that is related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of stiffness, popping, and pain in his left shoulder are already accounted for by his existing service-connected conditions (left shoulder subscapular bursitis and left arm numbness). The Board ordered further examination to determine if the Veteran has a current mid- or upper back disability that is related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- myofascial pain disorder, mid- or upper back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20043614
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 20043614.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for myofascial pain disorder, upper back disability, and left arm numbness due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is required to attend his scheduled VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate earlier VA examination and the need for new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed myofascial pain, upper back, and left arm disorders.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction, also claimed as myofascial pain disorder, was incurred as a result of her active service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's jaw disorder, characterized by jaw pain and teeth grinding, is found to have begun during service and is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.
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