The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examination records and the need for further medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the knee conditions and to determine if there is any relationship between the shoulder pain and service, including the use of Accutane during service.
- Claimed conditions
- patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, bilateral shoulder pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21021865
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 21021865.
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 remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to scheduling conflicts preventing VA examinations, and the claim for a higher rating based on multiple noncompensable disabilities is inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus II and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee were granted with an effective date of June 6, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of active duty reserve (ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA) and obtain addendum opinions from VA examiners.
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