The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right shoulder rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, finding that the most credible and probative evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to such prior to April 22, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Board concluded that there was no formal or informal claim for service connection for right shoulder disability presented prior to April 22, 2016, and thus the effective date could not be earlier than this date.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder rotator cuff tear, Glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2019
- Citation
- A19001895
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the right shoulder rotator cuff tear, finding that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder condition and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of prior VA examinations. The case will be returned for further evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear with arthritis is rated at 40 percent, which is the highest rating available under VA regulations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The right shoulder condition is related to the Veteran's in-service combat injury, while his psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder.
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.