The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, an initial rating for post-concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and adjustment disorder, with anxiety and insomnia, and a rating for tension headaches associated with post-concussion syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of a current left shoulder disability, as there was no objective medical finding indicating such. The Board found that the Veteran's reported symptoms were more likely due to subjective pain rather than a diagnosed condition.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disability, post-concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and adjustment disorder, with anxiety and insomnia, tension headaches associated with post-concussion syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21015808
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 21015808.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and remanded the other claims due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to a procedural defect in filing the claims on the correct form.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of a concussion is remanded.
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