The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating due to the limited range of motion and lack of additional functional impairment during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Right shoulder labral tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2025
- Citation
- 25007320
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to a service-connected lower back disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorders. The initial evaluations for right shoulder labral tear, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, right hip strain with limitation of flexion, right hip strain with limitation of extension, right hip strain with impairment of thigh, and allergic rhinitis were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms amount to functional ankylosis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's combat service in the Persian Gulf.
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