The Veteran's left shoulder disability was not found to warrant an increased rating before January 20, 2010.,Since January 20, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any limitation of motion or other symptoms that would warrant an increased rating for the left shoulder disability before January 20, 2010. From January 20, 2010 onwards, the Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited to approximately midway between side and shoulder level.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Strain, Hepatitis C with Mild Liver Fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 30, 2011
- Citation
- 1131924
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1131924.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and assigned a 20% rating effective March 16, 2023. The appellant is eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2023 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder strains, finding that the current ratings of 20% are appropriate based on limited motion in both shoulders.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain (claimed as sprain) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active military service or are related to an in-service injury.
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