The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a right shoulder disability claim were denied. The back disability remains rated at 20 percent, the left ring finger amputation continues to be non-compensably disabling, and service connection for the right shoulder disability is granted but not reopened.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for the right shoulder disability under direct service connection criteria due to evidence of a current disability that is related to military service. The back disability remains rated at 20 percent based on its limitation of motion, and the left ring finger amputation continues to be non-compensably disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Disability, Left Ring Finger Amputation, Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0826385
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 0826385.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his service-connected TMJ.
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