The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder DJD was denied. The current disability rating of 30 percent is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5201, which pertains to limitation of motion of the arm at shoulder level and midway between side and shoulder level.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder DJD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as it was not shown to be ankylosis (favorable or unfavorable), impairment of the humerus, or impairment of the clavicle or scapula. The highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5201 is 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19148986
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's shoulder disabilities are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for low back disability, right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hip DJD, and left hip DJD have been remanded due to lack of evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for DJD of the right and left shoulders have been granted at 40% and 30%, respectively, effective from when the claims were filed.
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