The Veteran's left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine is restored to a 60 percent rating effective January 1, 2015. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis of the left shoulder or any other factor warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18128393
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 18128393.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, and left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied, as well as the claim for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to address whether the January 2020 VA examination complied with Correia v. McDonald, and to obtain additional information regarding the severity of the left shoulder disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to the VA for further examination. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia will be considered.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.