The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for residuals of left rotator cuff tear and anxiety disorder was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent for his left shoulder condition, nor are the criteria met for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder prior to October 31, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Rotator Cuff Tear, Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1717238
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 1717238.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and service connection for IBS as secondary to anxiety disorder is granted. Service connection for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is denied due to lack of presumptive basis. Service connection for CHF with bradycardia and pacemaker as secondary to hypertension is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety disorder are considered part of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which already qualifies him for SMC(l). Therefore, he is not eligible for a higher rate of SMC.
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