The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for thoracic strain and PTSD with TBI residuals, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder anterior superior labral tear. The Veteran was also remanded for a VA examination to assess his left clavicle fracture.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the specified conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic strain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Left shoulder anterior superior labral tear, Residuals of left clavicle fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030379
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 20030379.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a June 2021 motorcycle accident were not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and therefore, service connection for all claimed conditions is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for thoracic strain throughout the review period, which represents a full grant of benefits sought on appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracic spine disability was denied by the Board, as his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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.