The Board found no evidence of a current shoulder disability and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed shoulder disorder. For his mental disorder, the Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the condition and service.
The deciding factor: There is no diagnosed shoulder disability in the record, and the examiner opined that any shoulder pain is due to cervical spine issues. The Veteran's mental health conditions are not linked to his military service based on the provided medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- Shoulder Disorder, Mental Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0940767
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 0940767.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and remanded for an addendum to address specific issues related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder and psoriatic arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, finding that there is no evidence of PTSD or other diagnosed mental condition related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's mental disorder is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.