The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under applicable rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examinations and physical therapy reports indicated that the Veteran's shoulder conditions had improved with treatment, but still limited range of motion to a level consistent with a 20 percent evaluation or less.
- Claimed conditions
- Impingement Syndrome of the Left Shoulder, Degenerative Changes of the Cervical Spine, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Status Post Acromioplasty, Bursectomy, and Spur Resection of the Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2011
- Citation
- 1128381
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 1128381.
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.
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's IBS with GERD was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS and GERD, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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