The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder bursitis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and therefore denied his claim for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show limitation of motion to shoulder level or below, which is required for a 20% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5201. The veteran's range of motion was found to be more than sufficient to meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0834644
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 0834644.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has additional disabilities that meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD.
- Denied
The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements. The Board denied an increased rating more than 20 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to SMC prior to May 23, 2008.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a Correia-compliant examination.
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