The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for GERD and left forearm and elbow disability are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded as addendum opinions were inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim for a sleep disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not fully address all of the Veteran’s symptoms and provided insufficient findings, particularly regarding range of motion testing.,The addendum opinions were inadequate as they failed to adequately address the Veteran's reported flare-ups, medications, and other factors relevant to his claims.,The inextricability between the service connection claim for a sleep disorder and the increased rating claim for major depression requires that both be considered together.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Left forearm and elbow injury with tendonitis, Major depression, Sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), Left shoulder disability, Hypertension, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20075333
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 20075333.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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