The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent under DC 5201, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis. For TDIU, the evidence shows that the Veteran has been employed in clerical positions with federal contractors but was unable to return to work after completing substance abuse treatment. As such, he is not precluded from obtaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. His current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms of pain, stiffness, and frequent dislocations without significant limitation of motion or arthritis. For TDIU, the evidence shows that he has been employed in clerical positions but was unable to return to work after completing substance abuse treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1819266
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 1819266.
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 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: 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: 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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that he did not require convalescence beyond August 31, 2011 following his surgery.
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