The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as bone spur and impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis, and acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis, did not manifest within one year of service discharge and is not linked to his service-connected left wrist and hand disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition has been denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disorder was first noted in 1979, many years after service, and there is no evidence that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist and hand disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bone Spur, Impingement Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1636751
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 1636751.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disability was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's condition, which includes strain, impingement syndrome, labral tear, and osteoarthritis, is currently manifested by limitation of motion to 45 degrees (midway between side and shoulder level), warranting a 30 percent rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30% from September 8, 2020. The rating was granted as his abduction range of motion was limited to midway between the side and shoulder level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the issues of service connection for nerve disorder secondary to his shoulder disability were remanded.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including strain, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis, did not have its onset during active service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred in service.
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