The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right elbow cubital tunnel syndrome, as well as left and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.
The deciding factor: The claim was denied based on the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations without providing good cause, which is a matter of law under 38 C.F.R. § 3.655(b).
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow cubital tunnel syndrome, right elbow cubital tunnel syndrome, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2025
- Citation
- 25006202
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,329 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 25006202.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate medical opinions. The issues of entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The evidence shows a present disability and service incurrence of an injury, with continuity of symptomatology post-service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, right ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay statements, his service treatment records showing bilateral ankle complaints during service in March and April 1997, and a September 2023 private opinion linking these conditions to his active duty.
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