The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, as there is no VA examination provided for the right arm disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported symptoms of pain and bruising on his right arm while using an M14 rifle during service are consistent with the circumstances of his service. The Board finds that VA's duty to provide an examination under McLendon is triggered, as there is a current disability (right arm injury) and signs/symptoms may be associated with military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right arm injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2024
- Citation
- A24058835
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 A24058835.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence.
- Granted
The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, right arm injury, low back disorder, left elbow disorder, and neck disorder. The effective date of these decisions is not specified.
- Denied
The Board found that the veteran's current upper extremity disabilities are not related to his active duty service and were more likely due to post-service employment.
- Denied
The Board found that the veteran's Notice of Disagreement with the March 1996 rating decision was not timely filed, and thus the March 1996 rating decision became final.
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.