The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 30 percent disability rating, but found that a 20 percent rating was warranted from July 1997 to August 2001.
The deciding factor: The veteran's right shoulder bursitis resulted in functional loss due to pain and limited motion, which approximated the criteria for a 20 percent rating prior to August 30, 2001.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2008
- Citation
- 0838970
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 0838970.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation for service-connected right shoulder bursitis due to convalescence was denied because the claim was filed more than one year after his January 2020 surgery, which is when entitlement arose.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of right shoulder bursitis was granted with an effective date of December 16, 2019. The Board found that the earliest date upon which the Veteran filed a claim leading to the grant of service connection for the disability is January 28, 2019.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis, bilateral achilles tendonitis, and left knee disability have been rated for the relevant period. The Board has granted a 40% rating for his right shoulder bursitis from July 1, 2013, and TDIU is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disabilities, including a rotator cuff tear and labral tear, were incurred during active duty service from January to September 2004. The arthritis was also shown within one year of separation. Service connection is granted for these conditions.
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