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 assigned
- 20%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0534701.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.