The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which is required for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed flexion and abduction ranges of motion at worst 135 degrees and 110 degrees respectively, which were less than the 25 degree limit required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder partial tear of the posterior inferior ligament, left shoulder impingement syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19131845
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for a left shoulder condition, as there was no evidence to support that his current disability was caused by VA treatment or related to his active military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 7, 2020, for the award of a 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder and TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, and she was also granted TDIU, DEA, and SMC for the period from March 27, 2017, to August 20, 2017.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and left upper extremity paresthesia was dismissed due to a late filing.
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