The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder tendonitis and right-sided cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve entrapment). The decision found that the Veteran’s left shoulder abduction was limited to 60 degrees, which did not warrant a higher rating under DC 5201. For the right-sided cubital tunnel syndrome, the Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran's left shoulder abduction and flexion were consistently greater than 25 degrees from the side, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5201. For the right-sided cubital tunnel syndrome, the Board found moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve based on the VA examination findings.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder DJD (degenerative joint disease), left shoulder labral tear, left shoulder supraspinous tendon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19153477
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,677 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19153477.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder tendonitis, left knee tendonitis, and right elbow tendinitis (impairment of supination and pronation) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected right elbow tendinitis (limitation of flexion) has also been denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claim for sinusitis is granted, and the increased rating claim for left shoulder labral tear is remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis, finding that it is related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder tendonitis, and left foot arthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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