The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability warrants a 20 percent rating from June 1, 1996 through April 1, 1997. From June 1, 1997, the criteria for a greater initial rating are not met. The veteran's avascular necrosis of the hips is rated as 10 percent disabling since June 1, 1996. Patellofemoral syndrome and tinea versicolor do not warrant compensable ratings.
The deciding factor: The veteran's right shoulder disability has been evaluated based on limitation of motion at or above shoulder level, which warrants a 20 percent rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The criteria for a greater initial rating are not met as there is no evidence of limitation below shoulder level. The avascular necrosis of the hips is rated based on its analogous condition (bursitis) and has been evaluated at 10 percent since June 1, 1996.
- Claimed conditions
- Avascular necrosis of the left hip, Avascular necrosis of the right hip, Patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, Patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, Postoperative residuals of a rotator cuff repair of the right shoulder, Tinea versicolor
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2003
- Citation
- 0302157
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,467 · Granted: 18% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0302157.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 4, 2009, to July 9, 2015.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of a March 1998 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) that assigned an initial noncompensable rating for his right knee condition.
- Partly granted
The appeal for higher ratings of sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies was dismissed, while the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis of both hips were remanded.
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