The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the bilateral upper and lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show additional limitation of function due to pain or other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201 for the left shoulder disability, and the right shoulder disability was rated at the minimum level based on its current range of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2009
- Citation
- 0944718
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 0944718.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
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