The Veteran's muscle strain of the right scapular area and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show evidence of an injury and ongoing treatment for a shoulder in-service, with no constitutional symptoms or interference with usual daily activities post-service. A VA examination found that the current right scapular disorder is less likely related to the scapular disorder treated in service. The Veteran's statements regarding continuous symptomatology since active service are highly probative.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle Strain of Right Scapular Area, Degenerative Disc Disease of Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 14, 2009
- Citation
- 0926166
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 0926166.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to March 20, 2008, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis and right hemilaminectomy and discectomy. The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a right hip disability and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, which were previously denied. The case is being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and severity.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.
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