The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on limited motion of the arm to 25 degrees from side.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion was not limited to 25 degrees from side and determined that his functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder degenerative arthritis (DJD), strain, impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, labral tear including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion (SLAP), acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162604
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19162604.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder, effective November 22, 2011.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a further VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder(s) and obtain outstanding private treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome and strain as additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the disability.
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