The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder dislocations do not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as they are manifested by recurrent dislocations with slight atrophy of the deltoid muscle but without significant joint abnormalities or limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed slightly limited motion in the service-connected arm compared to the non-service-connected arm, and there were no X-rays showing abnormality of the shoulder joint after reduction. The veteran's functional limitations are self-imposed due to conscious restrictions.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder dislocations
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2005
- Citation
- 0534701
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 0534701.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorders. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay reports and presume he was sound on entry into service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder dislocations and neurogenic bladder did not alone render him unemployable prior to February 20, 2004. The Board denied his claim for TDIU based on the lack of evidence showing he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which combined are at least 40% disabling and prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He was previously granted service connection for left shoulder dislocations and denied service connection for hypertension, gout, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left leg condition.
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