The Veteran's left shoulder sprain residuals did not result in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s flexion was limited to 70 degrees with weight-bearing at 60 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19122592
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,036 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19122592.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection were dismissed due to their death. The claims will be dismissed without prejudice.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder and left shoulder sprain, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cervical spine condition was remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for the remaining conditions, including hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed, and the claims for service connection for fatigue, a neck strain, trigger finger, left flatfoot, right flatfoot, and bilateral shoulder conditions are denied. The claims for service connection for foot and toe conditions are remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.