The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a spinal disability and right rotator cuff repair residuals, but the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The new evidence received since the April 2006 and October 2009 rating decisions relates to an unestablished fact of a nexus between the currently diagnosed spinal disability and right shoulder disability and the service-connected multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal disability, Right rotator cuff repair residuals
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1516848
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 1516848.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's spinal disability is rated at 100 percent from April 8, 2013. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a spinal disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient information provided by VA regarding examiner files and exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of a spinal disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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.