The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of meaningful examination opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of symptoms. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records and any SSA disability benefits records, schedule new examinations with appropriate examiners, and provide the Veteran with proper notification.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the January 2021 VA examinations did not meaningfully address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of symptoms related to his elbow and wrist disabilities. The Board therefore ordered a remand for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Elbow Disability, Left Elbow Disability, Right Wrist Disability, Left Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21074611
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21074611.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for a second extension of his delimiting date beyond March 26, 2023, for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits due to lack of medical infeasibility and inability to initiate or complete education during his period of eligibility.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to service, but the right elbow disability requires further review due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an inadequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, back disability, and left elbow disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran provided lay reports of symptoms but the VA examiners did not consider these reports in their conclusions.
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.