The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was rated as 20 percent disabling since November 17, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment or pain.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show limitation of motion to a level warranting a higher rating and the Veteran's lay statements were considered but did not support ratings in excess of those currently granted.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19100029
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, low back and bilateral hip disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and right ear sensorineural hearing loss. The claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple osteoarthritis conditions, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and gout based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis and left shoulder osteoarthritis, and in excess of 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis and left ankle osteoarthritis to ensure compliance with previous remand instructions.
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