The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral shoulder condition, and there is no evidence of such in or after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition (claimed as arthritis of the shoulders) is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence showing a current disability of bilateral shoulder condition, and the absence of complaints or findings during or after service raises doubt about the veteran's assertions of having had shoulder problems since service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the shoulders
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2005
- Citation
- 0512331
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 0512331.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for musculoskeletal pain and arthritis of the feet, shoulders, knees, and neck based on a lack of objective evidence within one year of separation from service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The nerve damage, arthritis of the cervical spine, and arthritis of the shoulders claims are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the spine, back spasms, shoulder arthritis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to further develop evidence related to these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other contaminants during service in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.