The Board has found the VA examiner's opinion inadequate and remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is related to service.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion, which did not consider the Veteran's reported inservice injuries and continuous pain symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21070406
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 21070406.
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 service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The evidence shows a present disability and service incurrence of an injury, with continuity of symptomatology post-service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and rhomboid strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee replacement and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his military service.
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