The Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, and his right shoulder disability remains at a 20% rating.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on aggravation by in-service trauma. The right shoulder disability continues to meet the criteria for a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with impingement syndrome
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 22, 2011
- Citation
- 1130967
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 1130967.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine due to inadequate examination reports and failure to obtain in-service vaccination records.
- Remanded (sent back)
Service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine, is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his thoracolumbar spine disability and a need for clarification on whether he has ever had unfavorable ankylosis. The cervical spine and headaches claims are also being remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional dependency allowance for his spouse was denied as the evidence of record did not show that he had submitted a completed VA Form 21-686(c) within one year of notification, which is required to establish eligibility for such benefits.
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