The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability but remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a neck condition due to a lower back disability. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on whether the Veteran's cervical spine/neck condition was caused by her service-connected lower back condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck condition and her lower back disability. However, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing this issue as it pertains to secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disability, neck condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23024399
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 23024399.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and remanded the other claims due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition and a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to a procedural defect in filing the claims on the correct form.
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