The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service. The Veteran's lay assertions were not credible on the matters of diagnosis and etiology.,For his initial disability rating claim for a right wrist strain, the Board found that ankylosis was not present, thus denying a higher rating than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show any chronic back or shoulder disorders during service. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding medical nexus were deemed not credible due to their lack of credibility on the matters of diagnosis and etiology.,VA examination reports found no ankylosis in the right wrist, thus denying a higher initial disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine disorder, Right shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2024
- Citation
- 24012021
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 24012021.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
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The Board has determined that the initial ratings assigned for psoriatic arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for a cervical spine disorder, need to be remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT) must be confirmed, and all relevant medical records should be obtained.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 20 percent prior to September 9, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter. The rating for GERD remains at 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with the implementation of his award for chronic osteomyelitis of the right lower extremity with a BKA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity and left lower extremity neurological disorders, and hypertension due to potential in-service exposure. The AOJ is required to develop these issues further.
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