The Veteran's increased disability ratings for right shoulder and right knee conditions were assigned effective October 17, 2022. The earlier effective date claims are denied as the evidence does not show an increase in severity prior to this date.,Service connection for fracture 4th metacarpal right hand, with ossicle deformity was granted in July 2002 and is still pending. The claim for service connection for cervical strain must be dismissed due to lack of earlier effective dates.,The Veteran's left shoulder condition has been awarded service connection effective October 17, 2022. No earlier effective date is warranted as the claim was pending until a February 2024 rating decision.,Service connection for fracture 4th metacarpal right hand, with ossicle deformity remains noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5230 due to pain and gradual worsening over years. No compensable rating is assigned.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show an increase in severity of the Veteran's conditions prior to October 17, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual shoulder strain lateral aspect right clavicle (now diagnosed as frozen shoulder), Patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, Fracture 4th metacarpal right hand, with ossicle deformity, Cervical strain, Left shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2026
- Citation
- A26028992
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 A26028992.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain, service connection for left leg pain (claimed as joint pain), and service connection for a left ear hearing condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, low back disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral nerve disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disability. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.
- Granted
Service connection for PTSD, to include depression is granted.,Service connection for blisters of bilateral feet is denied.,Service connection for cervical strain is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,Service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff injury is denied.,Service connection for chest injury and lumbar strain are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical strain and vitreous floaters have been granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.
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