The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, upper back injury, aggravation of pre-existing right knee condition, and aggravation of pre-existing bilateral foot condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.,The Veteran did not have any diagnosed disabilities related to his shoulders or back during service, and the current disabilities were not shown to be caused by service.
The deciding factor: There is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions in service, and the current disabilities are found to be due to natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Right Shoulder Disability","type_of_disability":"Impingement"}, {"condition_name":"Upper Back Injury","type_of_disability":"Thoracic strain"}, {"condition_name":"Pre-existing Right Knee Condition","type_of_disability":"Bilateral Foot Bunion"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19131934
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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.