The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability warrants a combined increased rating of 40 percent (20% for limitation of motion under Code 5201 and a separate 20% for recurrent dislocation under Code 5202), effective October 4, 2013; a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted prior to that date.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports provided sufficient clinical findings and informed discussion of the features of the disability on appeal to constitute probative medical evidence adequate for rating purposes. The Veteran's left shoulder disability was found to be manifested by limitation of motion at the shoulder level due to pain, with infrequent episodes of recurrent dislocation at the scapulohumeral joint with guarding of movement only at shoulder level.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 26, 2014
- Citation
- 1408355
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 1408355.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder DJD, and lower back disability claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD and left shoulder DJD have been denied, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The appeals are all denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's left shoulder dislocation is not productive of more than infrequent episodes and guarding of movement at the shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder DJD is productive of flexion to no worse than 90 degrees and abduction to 60 degrees, with no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation, warranting a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is productive of flexion to no worse than 120 degrees and abduction to 100 degrees, with no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation, warranting a 20 percent rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The left shoulder DJD and TDIU claims are remanded for further review.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.