The Veteran's left (minor) shoulder disability with limitation of motion is granted at a 40% evaluation as of November 5, 2014. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date and the request for an earlier effective date are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding of unfavorable ankylosis in abduction with limited arm motion to 25 degrees from side, warranting a 40% evaluation as of November 5, 2014. The Veteran's disability is rated at the maximum schedular level for limitation of minor arm motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Left (minor) shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19100089
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,902 · Granted: 11% (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 19100089.
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 denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left shoulder, and low back disabilities, except for a 20 percent rating for the right knee with effusion into the joint effective September 26, 2020, and a 60 percent rating for post-prosthetic replacement of the right knee effective December 1, 2021.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for left shoulder, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current ratings of 20% are appropriate based on the evidence showing no limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side in the left shoulder, and no significant impairment in range of motion or function in the lumbar spine and bilateral knees.
- Denied
The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The current rating takes into account limitations due to pain and limited motion.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left (minor) shoulder disability warrants a 40 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim.
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