The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and another opinion.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusion that the Veteran’s cervical spine disability does not cause or aggravate her bilateral shoulder disorders, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms of neck pain traveling to the shoulders.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21010408
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 21010408.
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 Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Dismissed
The appeal to sever service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability may have pre-existed service and is requesting further medical opinion to determine if it was aggravated by service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.
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