The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the assignment of a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.
The deciding factor: The effective date for the grant of service connection for tension headaches was assigned based on the date VA received the Veteran's claim, and no earlier document demonstrating an intent to seek benefits prior to this date has been provided.,VA medical records indicate a possible worsening of the Veteran's psychiatric disability since his most recent (February 2021) VA examination. A remand for a new psychiatric disability evaluation is necessary.,The right shoulder condition was not diagnosed in the previous examinations, and an etiology opinion has not been obtained. A remand for a new examination with an appropriate examiner to determine the nature and etiology of any current right shoulder condition is necessary.,No bursitis diagnosis was made in the previous examinations, and no etiology opinion has been provided. A remand for a new examination with an appropriate examiner to determine the nature and etiology of any current bursitis is necessary.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is based on his July 13, 2017, effective date. Since this claim was not previously adjudicated, it must be remanded.,The cervical strain claim has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.,The left rotator cuff impingement syndrome claim has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2017, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff impingement syndrome is based on his July 13, 2017, effective date. Since this claim was not previously adjudicated, it must be remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbar spine has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.,The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claim has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity claim has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.,The bilateral plantar fasciitis claim is based on his July 13, 2017, effective date. Since this claim was not previously adjudicated, it must be remanded.,The TDIU due to service-connected disabilities claim has not been previously adjudicated and requires a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension headaches, Major depressive disorder, Right shoulder disability, Bursitis, Pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophagitis, Degenerative arthritis with strain of the lumbar spine, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Bilateral plantar fasciitis, Bilateral metatarsalgia with right metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23038179
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 23038179.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied extraschedular ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 3, 2011.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
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.