The Veteran's appeal was denied as his right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. A separate compensable rating of 10% was granted for a scar from previous surgery on the right shoulder.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran’s range of motion in the right shoulder was within normal limits, with no limitation to 25 degrees from the side as required for a higher rating under DC 4.71a, Table I (DC 5201).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Traumatic Arthritis, Scar from previous surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1010548
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 1010548.
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 appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the service connection claim for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis was remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but remanded the claims for service connection for gastro-esophageal reflux disease, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and essential tremors.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee instability with traumatic arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective February 7, 2020.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis, noting that there is no evidence of record supporting these claims.
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.