The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability or an inguinal hernia as there is no evidence of such conditions during service, and the medical evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: There is no documented in-service injury or diagnosis related to the claimed bilateral shoulder condition or inguinal hernia. The Veteran's service treatment records do not mention any such injuries or conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Shoulder Condition, Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1503949
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1503949.
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 Veteran's inguinal hernia with status postrepair, residuals, and recurrence was rated at 60 percent since October 25, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the new Diagnostic Code 7338.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination regarding various service-connected conditions, including left knee, shoulder, hip, ED, OSA, skin condition (dystrophic toenails), and lung condition (COPD). The effective date of service connection remains August 16, 2018.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for a separate rating of 10% for painful inguinal hernia scars, but the Board denied this request as it is not factually ascertainable that the scars were painful prior to November 19, 2019.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.