Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

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 assigned
30%
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1759550.

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.

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.