The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right and left shoulder strains, as well as his right and left knee strains, were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings of 20% for shoulders and 10% for knees did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion. For the period from October 1, 2014 to April 28, 2017, a TDIU was granted but has since been rendered moot due to the Veteran's current high disability rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s knee and shoulder disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion. The pain associated with these conditions was considered in determining the appropriate disability ratings, but it did not warrant a higher rating as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Strain, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- A19002110
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002110.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
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