The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his left shoulder disorder and service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the left shoulder disorder were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder met or approximated the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed no ankylosis, but limited range of motion on abduction (0 to 110 degrees) with pain at 90 degrees. The Veteran’s subjective complaints were not supported by objective findings and his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2010
- Citation
- 1003500
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 1003500.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinea pedis of the left foot and remanded claims for a bilateral foot disorder, cervical disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and eardrum disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the claims for left shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to missing evidence.
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