The Board remanded all issues for further development and adjudication, including claims for increased disability ratings for right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy across three rating periods, service connection for right elbow disorder as potentially secondary to the ulnar neuropathy, and special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right hand. The remand was necessitated by the VA's failure to comply with prior remand instructions and to adequately address the veteran's lay statements regarding functional impairment and the failure to develop and adjudicate the right elbow claim.
The deciding factor: The Court vacated the prior Board decision pursuant to a Joint Motion finding that the Board failed to ensure compliance with duty to assist, failed to obtain an adequate examination addressing the veteran's specific statements about coping mechanisms and progressive impairment since 1984, and failed to develop or address claims for right elbow service connection and special monthly compensation.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity neuropathy of the ulnar nerve, right elbow disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2025
- Citation
- 25012798
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.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy as they were already granted. The claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and cervical spine disorder are remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The Board denied the veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to untimely filings.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including left and right elbow, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disorders, due to deficiencies in prior opinions.
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