The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear with instability is granted a rating of 20 percent effective November 18, 2013. The Veteran’s tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for respiratory condition (to include asthma and bronchitis) and bilateral eye disability (keratoconus).
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right shoulder labral tear with instability is rated based on limitation of motion, which does not warrant a higher rating as the evidence does not show more than 20 percent limitation. The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion, combined range of motion, or muscle spasm resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Labral Tear with Instability, Tinnitus, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Respiratory Condition (to include asthma and bronchitis), Bilateral Eye Disability (keratoconus)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19173546
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 19173546.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.