The Veteran's initial rating requests for a higher disability rating were denied. The left shoulder, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are rated at the minimum of 10 percent each since February 22, 2016. Service connection was denied for right hip disorder, bilateral tendonitis, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on the severity of the Veteran's conditions or service connection requests.
- Claimed conditions
- Left acromioclavicular joint separation with degenerative arthritis (left shoulder disability), Left carpal tunnel syndrome, Right carpal tunnel syndrome, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162528
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 19162528.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a GI disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. The claims were denied based on the lack of medical evidence supporting current diagnoses.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for headaches and gastrointestinal issues were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted separate 10 percent disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left and right cubital tunnel syndrome.
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