The Board finds that an increased evaluation for the veteran's left arm contusion with bursitis of the left shoulder and probable rotator cuff tear is not warranted, as his current manifestations do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.
The deciding factor: The range of motion findings showed abduction to 100 degrees on the left shoulder, flexion to 90 degrees, extension to 30 degrees and internal rotation to 15 degrees. Considering pain and decreased functionality, the current evaluation is appropriate.
- Claimed conditions
- Left arm contusion, Bursitis of the left shoulder, Probable rotator cuff tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2001
- Citation
- 0112204
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0112204.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective from March 26, 2015. The left shoulder disability remains rated at 30 percent.
- Granted
The veteran's bursitis of the left and right shoulders are currently rated at 10 percent each, while his lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent. The claims for increased evaluations have been granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and shoulder disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.