The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, and glenohumeral joint conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to their severity and functional impact, while the radiculopathy and adjustment disorder claims were remanded for further development.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative disease, disc herniation of the L4-L5, and osteopenia with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), status post dislocation with degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis impairment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25044554
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 remands the case for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions and examination reports to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU due to missing records.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, and left knee strain. The initial rating period from March 5, 2024, was denied for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active service.
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