The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease and right shoulder instability due to inadequate VA examination prior to the December 12, 2024 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examination was not adequate as it did not address the functional impact of the Veteran's right shoulder disability on his ability to work and failed to adequately assess the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability during flare-ups and repetitive use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Shoulder Instability (Dislocation)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26003316
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26003316.
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 Veteran's initial disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not show that her range of motion is limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, a higher rating for the right knee, and other conditions. The decision was based on the evidence of record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The current range of motion and symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 20% rating of right shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence showing limited range of motion prior to June 12, 2020.
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