The Board found that the veteran's right rotator cuff tear and tendonitis are not related to his service-connected disability, specifically his shell fragment wound to the right shoulder. The Board also determined that the residuals of the shell fragment wound do not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not find any evidence linking the current right rotator cuff tear and tendonitis to the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound or to any other service-connected condition, nor was there any indication that the disability is related to his age or natural progression of shoulder disease. The Board concluded that the veteran's current right shoulder condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5301.
- Claimed conditions
- Right rotator cuff tear, Tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 20, 2006
- Citation
- 0632667
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (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 0632667.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and tendonitis, is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of marked limited motion or other significant impairment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20% under the old rating criteria. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and determine the current severity of the service-connected condition without considering any ameliorative effects of medication.
- 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 claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issue of an increased disability rating for his right ankle condition is remanded.
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