The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The right shoulder tendinitis with impingement syndrome and right knee osteoarthritis are both denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee from February 11, 2015 is granted. Right hip tendonitis with painful motion and limited flexion does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbosacral strain more nearly approximated flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees with repeated use over time. The right shoulder tendinitis with impingement syndrome and right knee osteoarthritis did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion or instability. Right hip tendonitis was found to have symptoms that more nearly approximated painful motion and limited flexion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were determined to be severe enough to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, right shoulder tendinitis with impingement syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis, right hip tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19165709
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19165709.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
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