The Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 2014, but has since been rated at the maximum schedular rating.,For the period between January 2014 and November 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.,From November 2015 to January 2016, the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.,Since January 2016, the Veteran has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for his right shoulder disability.,For the period prior to January 2016, the Veteran's left shoulder disability did not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.,Since January 2016, the Veteran has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for his left shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 2014 due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss. From January 2014 to November 2015, his disability remained at the maximum schedular rating.,Between November 2015 and January 2016, the Veteran’s right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating due to limitations in range of motion. Since January 2016, he has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent.,For his left shoulder disability, prior to January 2016, there was no evidence that it met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. Since January 2016, he has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Disability, Left Shoulder Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2018
- Citation
- 1804572
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 1804572.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
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