The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows a clear and unmistakable pre-existing right shoulder disability at entry into service, which did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Tendonitis, Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801386
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 1801386.
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.
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to aspiration, and they have found a duty to assist error in their initial decision. They are now requesting a medical opinion to determine if the service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.
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