The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral arm disabilities is remanded due to incomplete STRs from his Reserve service. The AOJ must attempt to obtain these records and consider the evidence of record in its decision.
The deciding factor: Incomplete Service Treatment Records (STRs) from the Veteran's Reserve service prevent a determination on the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral arm disabilities, right medial epicondylitis, right lateral epicondylitis, right trapezial trigger point, right rotator cuff strain, osteoarthritis of the right glenohumeral joint, left rotator cuff tendinitis, left AC degenerative joint disease, right anterior labral tear, right biceps tendinitis, right long finger proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint sprain, trigger thumb of the right hand, left cubital tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26022177
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26022177.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring new VA examinations for the appellant's left carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist osteoarthritis.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as it found that the benefits originally sought have been granted in full, and thus there is no longer a specific error of fact or law to address.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted increased ratings to 20% and 30%, respectively, effective from the date of the decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and a left foot condition must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The claim for an effective date of February 25, 2024 for bipolar disorder is granted.
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