The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5201 for limitation of motion to 120 degrees with pain and weakness causing additional limitation of motion above the shoulders.
The deciding factor: The July 2009 VA examination showed flexion to 160 degrees and abduction to 120 degrees, with objective evidence of painful motion, instability, weakness, and tenderness. The Veteran's lay statements consistently reported pain and discomfort resulting in limitation, especially with any work over his shoulders.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Bursitis, Acromioclavicular Separation with Instability, Impingement Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1136490
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 1136490.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disability was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's condition, which includes strain, impingement syndrome, labral tear, and osteoarthritis, is currently manifested by limitation of motion to 45 degrees (midway between side and shoulder level), warranting a 30 percent rating.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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