The Board remands the service connection claims for bilateral shin splints due to an error by the AOJ in satisfying its duty to assist, requiring a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Veteran had good cause for not reporting to his scheduled VA examinations and that the AOJ's failure to provide him with an examination was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- left shin condition, right shin condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25043882
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left shin condition, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this claim.
- Denied
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a mental condition and denied service connection for bilateral foot, right ankle, left ankle, right shin, left shin, left hip, low back, and right shoulder conditions. The left shoulder condition was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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.