The Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder disability and leg disability were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for compression fracture, C-6 with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was granted (10%). However, the claim for a higher rating since March 31, 2005, remains denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's shoulder disability is not service-connected as it is secondary to his already service-connected cervical spine disorder. His leg disability does not meet the criteria for separate service connection. The initial rating of 10 percent for compression fracture was granted, but a higher rating since March 31, 2005, remains denied.
- Claimed conditions
- Shoulder Disability, Leg Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 10, 2011
- Citation
- 1129646
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 1129646.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and SMC prior to October 11, 2016, as well as remanded issues related to a shoulder disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right hip and shoulder disabilities are found to be as likely as not preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 2, 2012. Therefore, the claim for an extraschedular TDIU is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable initial rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for neck and spine pain, constant muscle pain, constant diarrhea, lung disorder, skin rash, headaches, leg disability, and loss of memory due to potential Gulf War exposure. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.
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