The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders, as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease and his military service, including his service-connected palindromic rheumatism.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1809205
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 1809205.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the legacy appeals regarding the Veteran's ratings for his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities as he opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic myositis of the cervical and lumbar spine muscles, as well as degenerative joint disease of multiple joints including shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders is associated with his active duty service and has been granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current disability ratings.
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