The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to service, as there are no records of treatment or complaints during service and the condition was first noted years after separation.,The Veteran's right wrist disability does not warrant a higher initial rating at any point since the grant of service connection.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the left shoulder disorder is denied because there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within one year following service, and the medical opinion found that the condition is less likely than not related to service. The Veteran's statements regarding an injury during basic training are outweighed by his contemporaneous service records showing normal extremities.,The right wrist disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5215, as there is no evidence of limitation of dorsiflexion or palmar flexion in line with forearm.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disorder, Right Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1802732
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 1802732.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for several conditions, including insomnia, hypertension, and various disabilities, was dismissed due to procedural issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantial gainful activity.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the claims for service connection were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for depression, but granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder.
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