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 assigned
- 30%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1533789.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- 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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