The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic bursitis of the right shoulder and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports provided no indication of any service connection issues related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War syndrome, or new and material evidence. The medical findings were consistent with traumatic bursitis and degenerative arthritis without additional service connection theory.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic bursitis of the right (major) shoulder, Degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2001
- Citation
- 0109402
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 0109402.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, left hand strain, and left ankle strain due to incomplete development of the record.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted with an effective date of November 9, 2009. The VA also determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, neck pain, right pectoralis muscle strain, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine and cervicalgia have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.
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