The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for left shoulder DJD was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for loss of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and prostate cancer residuals.,Service connection is being remanded for loss of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and prostate cancer residuals.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder DJD was not limited to movement solely from his side to 25 degrees from his side due to pain or with repeated use over time.,Service connection for loss of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and prostate cancer residuals is being remanded as the AOJ has not obtained opinions regarding their etiologies.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), loss of sense of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), prostate cancer residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21015150
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 21015150.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include stressor related disorder, prostate cancer residuals, surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction. The combined disability rating is at least 80 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals was dismissed due to a duty to assist error identified in the prior rating decision, and the matter is being developed by the AOJ.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and prostate cancer residuals, finding insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure during service to establish a direct link.
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