The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of arthritis in the shoulders prior to 2007.,The Veteran's current left foot disability (gout) was diagnosed in 2004 and is less likely than not related to treatment for foot pain with Indocin in 1993 during service.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of arthritis or shoulder symptoms prior to 2007, which precludes a finding of continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to natural aging and lifestyle factors rather than service.,The February 2014 VA examiner found no direct link between the Veteran's left foot disability (gout) and treatment for foot pain in 1993 during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Left Foot Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1422062
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 1422062.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- 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.
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