The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis was denied, as the evidence did not show motion limited to midway between the side and shoulder level or less. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine DJD was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed that the Veteran's left shoulder had flexion and abduction to 95 degrees with onset of pain at 0 degrees, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- Left (dominant) Shoulder Tendinitis, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Thoracolumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1710853
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 1710853.
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: Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine DJD was denied. The right foot plantar fasciitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis were granted a 30 percent rating effective February 21, 2021. The right shoulder DJD was denied a higher rating. The cervical spine DJD prior to December 2, 2019 was granted a 20 percent rating; from that date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve were evaluated as 10% and 10% respectively, with no higher ratings granted. The appeal was denied for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran’s ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
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