The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected scars status post right shoulder surgery was granted at a 30 percent rating, the maximum available. The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder was denied as her disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right shoulder disability has been assigned the maximum schedular rating based on limitation of motion and arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Scars status post right shoulder surgery, Degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19130550
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (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 19130550.
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: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from July 1, 2016, to June 25, 2017, and beginning June 26, 2017, due to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative spondylosis at L5-S1, left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and depressive disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports. The issues include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney conditions, gallbladder conditions, appendix conditions, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, and eye problems. These matters will be addressed by new medical opinions regarding exposure at Pease Air Force Base.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from April 17, 2010 to November 15, 2012.,From November 16, 2012 to September 10, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impacted his ability to obtain and maintain any substantially gainful employment.
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