The Board has granted higher initial evaluations of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right rotator cuff tear with impingement and left fibula fracture, effective from August 18, 2000. The back scar remains rated as noncompensably disabling.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the veteran had significant functional impairment in his right shoulder due to pain on motion, which resulted in limitation of motion at a level more severe than what would be expected with a nonunion or malunion of the clavicle or scapula. The left fibula fracture residuals were found to have mild symptoms during cold weather but no current functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Rotator cuff tear, Left fibula fracture, Back scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2003
- Citation
- 0309345
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,055 · Granted: 31% (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 0309345.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will provide the Veteran with another VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, tendonitis, and degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and a need for an adequate examination.
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