The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right shoulder degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the left shoulder injury to include acromioclavicular joint calcifications did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 13, 2003, from 40 percent after that date, or for a wrist ganglion cyst or thumb injury.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support service connection for the right shoulder degenerative joint disease and the left shoulder injury to include acromioclavicular joint calcifications did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 13, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left shoulder injury to include acromioclavicular joint calcifications, left wrist ganglion cyst, left thumb injury, to include medial collateral ligament tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2010
- Citation
- 1035067
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1035067.
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 depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal to sever service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin disability, left knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst based on new evidence submitted since the last decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).
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