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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder tendinitis were found to not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent ratings. The left shoulder tendinitis was also found to not warrant a higher rating.

The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion measurements did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS that would allow for a higher rating based on intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

Claimed conditions
lumbar strain, right shoulder tendinitis, left shoulder tendinitis
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
July 12, 2018
Citation
18118164

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 18118164.

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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