The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, right foot disabilities, and multiple scars on the right thumb. The reduction in the rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 26, 2011 was found to be proper.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's complaints and physical findings did not demonstrate an actual improvement in his right shoulder disability as of May 2011. The evidence established that the disability was manifested by painful range of motion limited to approximately shoulder level with weakened movement, excess fatigability, and deformity.
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative cervical spine fusion C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 with osteoarthritis (cervical spine disability), Taylor's bunion and pes planus with callosities of right foot (right foot disabilities), multiple scars on the right thumb, status post fixation of scapular fracture and acromioclavicular joint separation, right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2016
- Citation
- 1605091
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 1605091.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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