The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder disability was rated at 20% prior to October 28, 2015, and the right shoulder disability received a similar rating. Service connection for a cervical condition secondary to his bilateral shoulder disorder was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence of ankylosis or instability in either shoulder, and the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion. The examiner opined that the cervical condition is less likely related to service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder dislocation, cervical condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19178421
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 various conditions, including sinusitis, elbows condition, cervical condition, erectile dysfunction, kidney condition, sleep apnea, wrists condition, asthma, shoulders condition, ankles condition, eye condition (bilateral dry macular degeneration), peripheral vascular disease (heart condition), and rhinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical and bilateral upper extremities radiculopathy disabilities, as secondary to service-connected shoulders disabilities, due to inadequate medical evidence.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for cervical condition and bilateral knees was dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a Board Appeal request.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, MDD, and readjudicated the claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow, and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever.
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