The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome are rated at 30 percent. The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent prior to August 24, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both legs are each rated at 20 percent. Migraines are rated at 50 percent on an extraschedular basis. TDIU is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating, but no higher, under DC 5201-5203. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent prior to August 24, 2017 and 20 percent thereafter based on limitation of motion. The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both legs are each rated at 20 percent under DCs 8520-8526. Migraines meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic impingement syndrome of the right shoulder with tendonitis and degenerative osteoarthritis, Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine disorder), Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left leg associated with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right leg associated with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left leg associated with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right leg associated with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19135645
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (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 19135645.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder has been granted, with a 40 percent evaluation effective August 24, 2017.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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.