The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis prior to September 6, 2011, and for a rating in excess of 40 percent since that date are both denied.,Service connection for sciatica secondary to the service-connected left shoulder disability was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show limitation of motion of the left shoulder to 25 degrees from the side, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5201. The Veteran's subjective complaints were considered but found less probative than objective medical findings.,There was no current diagnosis of sciatica in the record and the VA examiner did not find any evidence of sciatica.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder arthritis, sciatica
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2014
- Citation
- 1410459
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 1410459.
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 Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding her service-connected depression. She needs an examination to assess the impact of her depression on her ability to work.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disabilities, including sciatica, are granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected back disability. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has been unable to secure or follow gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
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