The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral hip disorders to obtain addendum opinions that properly consider a direct theory of entitlement.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were based largely on a lack of evidence immediately after service; however, the lack of contemporaneous records, alone, does not preclude granting service connection for a claimed disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25057026
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left hip disorder to be further developed, including an examination.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic neuropathy.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.