The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, which is primarily manifested by pain and frequent flare-ups preventing overhead activities, does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows no findings of ankylosis, limitation of motion to less than 25 degrees from the side, fibrous union, nonunion (false flail joint), or loss of the head of the humerus (flail shoulder).
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 30, 2006
- Citation
- 0633537
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,776 · Granted: 24% (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 0633537.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the claims for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, right foot disability, left foot disability, PTSD rating, and TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities due to increased symptoms since the last examination. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a supplemental statement of the case if his claims are not granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for OSA was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the left shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of evidence showing symptoms warranting a higher rating.
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.