The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2007. The claim for an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy and shell fragment wound of the right shoulder have been evaluated based on their current manifestations without showing any severe impairment or complete paralysis, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5201-5203 and 8515 respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Acromioclavicular joint and rotator cuff insertion degenerative changes of the right shoulder, Right ulnar neuropathy, Residuals of shell fragment wound of the right (major) shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1533789
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 1533789.
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 remanded the appeal for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and ulnar neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for a back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, but granted a 20 percent rating from October 11, 2023, for the back disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2021 onward due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU claim for the period March 19, 2012 to November 24, 2019 is denied as he had substantially gainful employment during this time.
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