The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left (minor) shoulder disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 3, 2021, or 30 percent thereafter. Similarly, his right ankle disability did not warrant an increased rating beyond the current levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Acromioclavicular joint arthritis with left rotator cuff tendonitis (left shoulder disability), Degenerative joint disease, status post fracture with internal fixation, right ankle (right ankle disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- 25006582
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.
- Denied
The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, and spinal fusion of the lumbar spine was denied as the Veteran failed to attend a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this issue.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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