The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his left shoulder condition was caused by or incurred in service, and denied his claim for service connection. His psychiatric disorder was rated at 50 percent effective October 21, 2020, but the Board agreed with the AOJ's decision not to grant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his left shoulder condition began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board found no chronicity of his current left shoulder condition and concluded that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by his in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Tendonitis, Unspecified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disability, Bilateral Lower Extremity (BLE) Radiculopathy, Left Ankle Disability, Right Ankle Disability, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26035608
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26035608.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal to revise the effective date for a 50% disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is dismissed because the July 2024 proposed rating decision was not an appealable determination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for PFB is denied as the condition did not manifest through scarring or disfigurement during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and vertigo are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The PFB claim is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
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