The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings in the October 2020 VA examination report regarding the affected muscle group for costochondritis, which involves the chest. The examiner needs to clarify if the Veteran's service-connected condition affects Muscle Group IV (shoulder girdle muscles) or Muscle Group XXI (thoracic muscle group).
The deciding factor: The October 2020 VA examination report found that the Veteran’s costochondritis affected Muscle Group IV, but this finding is unclear and inconsistent with the areas of tenderness identified in the May 2011 VA examination report.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21008447
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 21008447.
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 reduction in rating for the Veteran's back condition from 40% to 20%, effective September 1, 2025 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse this reduction is granted. An increased rating for costochondritis is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2012, for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable within one year prior to his July 18, 2012, claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for costochondritis is denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of service connection for a headache condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's costochondritis and asthma have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation for asthma.
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