The RO reduced the Veteran's rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder from 30 percent to 20 percent, effective April 14, 2017. The reduction was not proper due to lack of compliance with the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.344.
The deciding factor: The RO failed to comply with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344 (a) and (b), which require a full and complete examination before reducing a rating for an evaluation in effect for greater than five years.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1759550
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1759550.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 50 percent for his right shoulder disability beginning October 28, 2014. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings prior to and after this date are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability prior to March 11, 2022 is denied. The claim for TDIU prior to October 17, 2014 is also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for additional examinations regarding muscle group injuries and neurological symptoms related to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action regarding his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, including on the basis of disabilities affecting a single body system (orthopedic), during the entire period on appeal.
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