The Veteran's urticaria was granted service connection. The initial rating for his lumbar spine disability, rated at 20 percent prior to May 18, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any current evidence of a skin disorder (urticaria) or shoulder disorder. The lumbar spine disability was rated based on the degree of forward flexion and range of motion, with no findings of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- urticaria, bilateral shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1612720
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 1612720.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in the Veteran's rating for urticaria because it was not an adjudicative decision that can be appealed to the Board.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hip disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses in the medical records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic pain and fatigue, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral shoulder disorder, and low back disorder due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective February 22, 2024. The effective date of December 21, 2021, is due to the continuous pursuit of her claims.
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.