The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is rated at 20% and remains unchanged.,For the period prior to September 20, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar strain warrants a 40% rating. Since then, it does not warrant any higher rating due to lack of ankylosis.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40% since September 20, 2018 and remains unchanged.,Service connection for left hand disability and right hand disability are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for the right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis as it is currently rated at 20% based on its current functional limitations, which include pain during flare-ups.,For the period prior to September 20, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar strain was manifested by forward flexion limited to 40 degrees and extension limited to 20 degrees with pain. The examiner estimated that after repetitive use over time, his range of motion would be further limited to 30 degrees for flexion and 15 degrees for extension due to pain.,Since September 20, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar strain was manifested by forward flexion limited to 20 degrees and extension limited to 10 degrees with pain. The examiner estimated that during flare-ups, his range of motion would be further limited to 20 degrees for flexion and 10 degrees for extension due to pain.,There is no evidence of service connection for left hand disability or right hand disability in the provided decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Lumbar Strain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19154768
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 19154768.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Granted
The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for GERD is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by heart failure, which the Board finds may be service-connected through secondary service connection due to obesity resulting from his service-connected PTSD and back disability. However, VA failed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing heart failure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar strain, and right shoulder strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 17, 2018. TDIU is granted effective from that date.
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