The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for right thoracic outlet syndrome prior to April 14, 2009 or from April 14, 2009. The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to April 14, 2009 and 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any evidence of incomplete paralysis or other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating for the right thoracic outlet syndrome. The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to April 14, 2009 and 20 percent thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Right thoracic outlet syndrome, Degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1011780
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 1011780.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder to obtain an addendum opinion that considers the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a status post left ankle fracture to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative spondylosis at L5-S1, left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and depressive disorder.
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