The Veteran's mild left elbow tendonitis and anxiety disorder were denied. The right shoulder surgery was granted at a 30% rating, but not higher than the current 20%. The thoracolumbar spine condition with degenerative changes was granted at a 20% rating from June 18, 2015 to November 27, 2018. DEA benefits were denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"mild left elbow tendonitis"}, {"condition_name":"anxiety disorder","additional_details":"manifested as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, to include a near-continuous depression"}, {"condition_name":"status post right shoulder surgery","additional_details":"prior to June 18, 2015: motion beyond the 90 degrees at shoulder height, painful motion but without limitation of arm motion; as of June 18, 2015 and subsequent: impaired motion at 60 and 80 degrees, with limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side"}, {"condition_name":"thoracolumbar spine condition with degenerative changes","additional_details":"prior to June 18, 2015: pain but without forward flexion greater than 30 degrees; subsequent to November 27, 2018: forward flexion measured at 50 degrees"}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

April 2, 2019

Citation

19124675