The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or intermediate ankylosis, and there were no indications of fibrous union, nonunion, loss of head, malunion, or moderate deformity of the humerus. The Veteran's symptoms were adequately addressed by the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder synovitis, muscle strain, posttraumatic arthritis, chronic left shoulder instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19180981
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (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 19180981.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected scars, s/p metacarpal fracture due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected post traumatic arthritis, s/p metacarpal fracture is remanded as there are issues with the adequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and denied service connection for left shoulder synovitis, cervical spine strain, anterior right upper chest scar, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation, and right shoulder limitation of motion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right foot condition, including hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, based on the Veteran's credible assertions of continuous symptoms since active duty and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 10% for his right wrist condition. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing ankylosis or its functional equivalent.
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