The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 14, 2004.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of medical findings supporting more severe disability levels or service connection based on new evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0919793
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 0919793.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for traumatic brain injury was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied higher ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, granted a 30% rating for hyperacusis from January 31, 2008, and granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The appeal to readjudicate the claim of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was denied due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and dextroscoliosis, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.
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