The Board remands the service connection claim for left shoulder strain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an inadequate medical opinion.
The deciding factor: A new VA medical opinion is needed as the previous one did not address the Veteran's specific assertions about how his condition developed during service, and it lacked a thorough rationale.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25054513
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 Veteran's service connection for left shoulder strain, labral tear, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and tendinitis was granted, while the effective date prior to November 11, 2023, for migraine headaches was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity to ensure compliance with its previous remand directives.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity to ensure compliance with its previous remand directives.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error regarding SSA records.
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.