The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, with superior displacement of the distal clavicle; degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, with limitation of motion; and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for a compensable evaluation for degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracic spine was also denied.,The Board found that the appellant's service-connected right shoulder disability is primarily manifested by recurrent complaints of pain, without evidence of limitation of motion of the arm or limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees from the side. The cervical spine disability does not show more than slight limitation of motion. The lumbar spine disability shows no more than slight impairment with no evidence of muscle spasm on extreme forward bending, loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in standing position. The thoracic spine disability is manifested by complaints of pain in the thoracic region.

The deciding factor: The Board determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, with superior displacement of the distal clavicle, Degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, Degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracic spine

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

May 18, 2000

Citation

0013203

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 0013203.