The Board has denied service connection for a disability manifested by joint discomfort of the fingers, hands, and shoulders due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to insufficient development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs did not document any findings related to joint discomfort of fingers, hands, feet, or shoulders. The May 2021 VA examination found no current diagnosis for a left shoulder condition or right hand/finger conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran denied having any left hand issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Joint discomfort of fingers and hands, Joint discomfort of feet, Left shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21064138
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 21064138.
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 Veteran's service-connected conditions leave her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from April 26, 2018 to April 18, 2021. Service connection for toe fungus and left shoulder condition are granted. Service connection for neck condition is also granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a qualifying total service-connected disability rating or loss of use of lower extremities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.
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