The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or intermediate ankylosis. The compensable evaluation for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger was also denied.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence did not show that the veteran's left arm abduction was limited to 25 degrees from his side, and there is no indication of ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation or fibrous union of the humerus. The lumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion of less than 30 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Arthritis with Impingement Syndrome of the Left Shoulder, Traumatic Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2008
- Citation
- 0808893
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 0808893.
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 Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The right inguinal hernia and left index finger fracture are both denied as not compensable.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine was evaluated at a 20 percent rating since February 1, 2008. The disability is currently manifested by forward flexion to no less than 35 degrees, accounting for pain on motion and after repetition; no ankylosis; and no incapacitating episodes.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent prior to February 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its clinical onset in service, was not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, and is not presumed to be related to service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was also denied as it was determined to be unrelated to service.
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