The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a right shoulder condition was denied. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for duodenal ulcer with dyspepsia and GERD is denied. The claims for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (claimed as bursitis), TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder condition claim was not substantiated by new evidence since the final denial in December 2009. The duodenal ulcer with dyspepsia and GERD claim is already at its maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 7305. The left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (claimed as bursitis) claim requires a VA examination to assess range of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Condition, Duodenal Ulcer with Dyspepsia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19104590
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,886 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19104590.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition or neck condition, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims of service connection for a neck condition as secondary to a service-connected right wrist condition and for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and potential gaps in documented medical treatment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding it directly related to the Veteran's military service. The effective date is October 24, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.