The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the residuals of a fragment wound of the right shoulder with retained foreign bodies, Muscle Group I, and loss of function of the right shoulder, Muscle Group V, are not productive of more than moderate disability. The left shoulder osteoarthritis is also not productive of more than 10 percent disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not show any additional limitation due to pain or other factors that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a fragment wound of the right shoulder with retained foreign bodies, Muscle Group I, Loss of function of the right shoulder, Muscle Group V, Residuals of a fragment wound of the left shoulder with retained foreign bodies, Muscle Group I, Left shoulder osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0946751
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 0946751.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disorders and low back disorder, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board found that the combined effects of these conditions made it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 22, 2024.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back pain, left shoulder osteoarthritis, right shoulder rotator cuff, right bicep tendonitis, left bicep tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and Meniere's Syndrome (vertigo) to address duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 30, 2011 to June 28, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
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