The Veteran's right shoulder, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disorders are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder has been evaluated as 20 percent disabling based on limitation of motion. His thoracic and cervical spine disorders have each been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, with no additional incapacitating episodes noted in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease and Impingement Syndrome, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracic Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0931113
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 0931113.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was found to not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of 15 degrees or less and there was no evidence of favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various shoulder and back conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims.,His low back disability is rated at 40 percent, with symptoms approximating favorable ankylosis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.
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