The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent for either condition.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating, and the Veteran's assertions of increased severity were inconsistent with the clinical findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder, Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003409
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21003409.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in several of his claims, including those related to TBI, left shoulder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, posttraumatic migraine headaches, and TDIU. The issues have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Whole decision: Denied
An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, for a back disability effective September 2, 2018 is granted.,An initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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