The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear with arthritis is rated at 40 percent, which is the highest rating available under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's arm motion was functionally limited to 25 degrees from side due to pain and other functional impairments, meeting the criteria for a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder rotator cuff tear, Right shoulder arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183230
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,480 · Granted: 26% (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 19183230.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Veteran's SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he needed regular aid and attendance. The criteria for SMC at the housebound rate have also not been met.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the current right shoulder disorders are related to service, including physical training and duties as a petroleum supply specialist.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted as service connected, with the Board finding a causal link between his in-service injury and current symptoms.
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