The Veteran's claim for service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the current left elbow lateral epicondylitis is caused by or otherwise related to his active duty, to include his October 1998 in-service injury from a pellet gun.,VA's duty to assist also includes providing a medical examination and/or obtaining a medical opinion when necessary to make a decision on the claim. The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination in connection with his claims for entitlement to service connection for these disorders, as whether they relate to his service-connected cervical strain disability.,VA's duty to assist also includes providing a medical examination and/or obtaining a medical opinion when necessary to make a decision on the claim. The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination in connection with his claims for entitlement to service connection for these disorders, as whether they relate to his service-connected cervical strain disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow lateral epicondylitis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2021
- Citation
- A21017962
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 A21017962.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for back pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence for a schedular rating, and the issues are inextricably intertwined.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking to establish entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is dismissed because the AOJ decision was merely implementing a Board's earlier effective date decision for service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The claims for service connection for hearing loss disability and a disability manifested by shortness of breath other than chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied. The claims for service connection for an intestinal disability (diverticulitis), fatigue, hypertension, neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, upper and lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip disability, left hip disability, right foot pain, left foot pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.