The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for left shoulder disability, as the competent medical opinions ruled out any relationship between current rotator cuff tendonitis and service.
The deciding factor: Competent medical opinions ruled out a relationship between current left shoulder disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2005
- Citation
- 0509696
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0509696.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The evidence shows a present disability and service incurrence of an injury, with continuity of symptomatology post-service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and rhomboid strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee replacement and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his military service.
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