The Veteran's left shoulder disability, specifically the tear of the infraspinatus tendon, was found to be less than 25 degrees of flexion and abduction at times. The evaluation is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed that the Veteran had limited range of motion in his left shoulder with pain starting at 10 degrees, limiting him to only 5 degrees of movement after repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- Tear of the infraspinatus tendon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19146402
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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.