The Veteran's initial ratings for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been denied. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20% since October 3, 2017, while the left shoulder disability remains noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19147804
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.
- Partly granted
The VA has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, effective from March 1, 2004. The claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the right shoulder was denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder warrants a 50 percent disability rating, considering his severe functional impairment and weakness.
- 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.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.