The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes a post-surgical change and rotator cuff injury following a shoulder dislocation, has not resulted in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. As such, the claim for an evaluation higher than 30 percent is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder abduction did not reach 25 degrees from the side during the appellate period, which is required for a rating higher than 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5202.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder dislocation, Post-surgical changes in right shoulder, Rotator cuff injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183677
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,104 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19183677.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right elbow dislocation, right shoulder dislocation, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy as untimely. The appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied due to clear and unmistakable evidence that it preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right shoulder condition and his in-service injury. The Veteran contends that he incurred a right shoulder dislocation during service, which resulted in ongoing pain and instability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, and the Board has remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to higher initial ratings for right and left shoulder dislocations due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings.
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