The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at T-11 through S1 and right shoulder disability were both denied increased evaluations. The current ratings are 10% for the back disability and no rating has been assigned for the right shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find evidence of forward flexion greater than 30 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees, which would warrant a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) at T-11 through S1, Right shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2011
- Citation
- 1108860
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 1108860.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the case for further action on heart disability. The decision regarding right shoulder disability is that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA examinations did not provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and granting secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his claimed knee, shoulder, and back disabilities. The Board finds that a VA examination should be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee, shoulder, or back disabilities.
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