The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted, but the rating for his right shoulder is limited to 20 percent prior to March 7, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter. The rating for his left shoulder remains at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently reflected that the Veteran's pain and functional impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Strain with Degenerative Arthritis, Left Shoulder Strain with Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19172022
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 19172022.
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 determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings are not granted, and they have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and left shoulder strain have been rated at 10 percent prior to August 14, 2019, and 20 percent from that date. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 14, 2019, or 20 percent from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim based on additional evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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