The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder was denied as there is no evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 29, 2006.,Service connection for a low back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his active service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to March 29, 2006. The VA examinations and medical records showed that the Veteran's range of motion was within normal limits or only slightly limited by pain.,For his low back disability claim, there is no evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active service. The Veteran did not have any documented low back issues during service, and VA examinations found no current conditions related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Shoulder, Low Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2012
- Citation
- 1208166
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 1208166.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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