The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral shoulder conditions, including impingement syndrome, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and rotator cuff tendonitis, did not have their onset during active duty service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding against granting service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that none of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder diagnoses had their onset during active duty service, and there was no basis for finding that her left shoulder disability could cause her right shoulder disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral impingement syndrome, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, rotator cuff tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1746254
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 1746254.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the August 2017 VA examiner regarding which symptoms are related to his service-connected left trapezius strain and whether any non-service-connected conditions represent a progression of that disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted an increase in PCAFC benefits to Level 2, finding that the Veteran requires continuous supervision or protection due to his cognitive decline and repeated falls.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is neither secondary to his service-connected right femoral neuropathy nor directly related to his active-duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, has been granted service connection since it began in service following his fall in 1972.
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.