The Board has determined that an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder is not warranted, as the veteran's disability currently meets the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation. The issues regarding secondary service connection for cervical spine and acromioclavicular joint disorders are also addressed.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current disability level does not warrant an increased rating beyond the maximum assigned under Diagnostic Code 5303, as his range of motion is within the limits allowed by that code. The Board found no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on pain or functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint with probable rotator cuff disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2000
- Citation
- 0033066
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 0033066.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prior to October 22, 2008 are being remanded due to the need for additional retrospective medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
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