The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's conditions, including flare-ups and functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Lumbar Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Wrist Disability, Right Wrist Disability, Right Hand Arthritis (Index Finger), Right Hand Arthritis (Long Finger), Right Hand Arthritis (Ring Finger), Right Hand Arthritis (Little Finger), Left Hand Arthritis (Left Thumb), Left Hand Arthritis (Ring Finger), Left Hand Arthritis (Little Finger)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21027878
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 21027878.
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 claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
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