The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities have resulted in limitation of motion, including due to painful motion. The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for each shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The February 2011 VA examination report showed the Veteran experienced limitation of motion in both shoulders, which more nearly approximated limitation at the shoulder level.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1706529
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 1706529.
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 initial disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not show that her range of motion is limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.
- Denied
The Veteran's left shoulder condition, including degenerative joint disease and a rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease and right shoulder instability due to inadequate VA examination prior to the December 12, 2024 rating decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, a higher rating for the right knee, and other conditions. The decision was based on the evidence of record.
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