The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, with no higher rating warranted due to the lack of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. Service connection for a cervical condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current neck disorder and his service or any service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral shoulder disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder dislocation, right shoulder dislocation, cervical condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19178421
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (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 19178421.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's left knee pain and instability are granted, with the Board resolving the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of July 7, 2022 for service connection for cervical condition and associated left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy conditions as well as cervicogenic headaches.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back pain, and left shoulder dislocation are pending.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.
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