The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, the left wrist disability at 10 percent, hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to military service, and degenerative arthritis of the low back warranted a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher ratings for either shoulder or wrist disabilities. The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they were not well-grounded under then-existing law. Degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability, Left Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0531975
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 0531975.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that he did not require convalescence beyond August 31, 2011 following his surgery.
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