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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0931113.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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