The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, and ring finger disabilities, as well as a headache disability. The issue of initial compensable rating for skin irritation is also being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Joint Motion for Partial Remand found that the April 2011 VA medical opinion was inadequate for adjudication purposes due to its determination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder conditions, and thus the Board erred in relying on it.
- Claimed conditions
- Blurred Vision, Right Thumb Degenerative Arthritis, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Back Disability, Right Ring Finger Disability, Headache Disability, Skin Irritation
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20054910
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 20054910.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ring finger disability and associated right hand scar are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his right hand scar, effective March 9, 2007. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities and for peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
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