The Veteran's lumbar strain condition with bulging discs is currently rated at 40 percent and denied for an increase.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis was initially rated at 20 percent from May 20, 2014 to May 5, 2019, and then increased to 30 percent effective May 6, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain condition with bulging discs does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain condition to include bulging discs, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19180782
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (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 19180782.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate medical opinions. The issues of entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, right ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay statements, his service treatment records showing bilateral ankle complaints during service in March and April 1997, and a September 2023 private opinion linking these conditions to his active duty.
- Granted
The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with arthritis, effective October 26, 2012.
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