The Board denied effective dates prior to June 21, 2016, for the awards of service connection and remanded higher rating claims.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence within one year of the final rating decisions in 1985, 1989, and 1991, and the failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for the previous decision.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow strain with flexion contracture with limitation of flexion of the forearm with painful motion, painful motion of supination and pronation of the forearm, limitation of extension of the left forearm
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2025
- Citation
- 25003972
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 709 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25003972.
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 decided to remand the case due to errors in assessing functional loss and lack of discussion of relevant medical records. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is being remanded due to a discrepancy regarding the Veteran's neurologic impairment related to his left forearm disability. The Veteran will be provided with an updated examination to determine if he has any current neurologic complications.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected limitation of extension of the left forearm. The issue remains whether he is entitled to an initial compensable disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
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.