The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders are caused by his service-connected low back disability, granting service connection for both conditions.
The deciding factor: The private physician provided a compelling opinion linking the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders to his service-connected low back disability due to increased strain on the upper extremities as a result of his back problems.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear, Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2014
- Citation
- 1438959
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 1438959.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not show that her range of motion is limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.
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