The Veteran's right shoulder condition, which includes arthritis with a torn rotator cuff post-surgery, is rated at 30 percent. The left shoulder condition and chronic back strain are both rated at 20 percent. These ratings reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions as determined by VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder condition, which includes arthritis with a torn rotator cuff post-surgery, was found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5201 due to limitation of motion. The left shoulder condition and chronic back strain were both rated at 20 percent as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on additional factors such as flare-ups or pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Arthritis with Torn Rotator Cuff Status Post Arthroscopic Repair, Left Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Chronic Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2015
- Citation
- 1507201
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 1507201.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since December 2020, and the Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 30% based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, shoulder conditions, and migraines, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 4, 2020 to November 18, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for chronic back strain with mechanical low back pain and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted, with specific evaluations of 20 percent for the back strain and 40 percent for the radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's chronic back strain has been rated at 40 percent since January 2017. The current level of disability, with forward flexion limited to 30 degrees but without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, does not warrant a higher rating.
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