The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment as a visual artist, but does not preclude him from securing or doing other types of work within the arts that do not require precise use of his right arm.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder disability limits his ability to pursue his work as an artist, but does not prevent him from engaging in other forms of employment within the arts.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder rotator cuff injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2018
- Citation
- 1806194
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 1806194.
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: Granted
Service connection for PTSD, to include depression is granted.,Service connection for blisters of bilateral feet is denied.,Service connection for cervical strain is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,Service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff injury is denied.,Service connection for chest injury and lumbar strain are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD and right shoulder rotator cuff injury to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his GERD and hiatal hernia are rated at 30 percent. The higher ratings for both conditions were granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, inguinal hernias, rotator cuff injuries, and ankle fractures. The claims are also remanded to determine if new evidence has been received to reopen claims for knee conditions.
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