The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. For his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, he received a temporary total rating based on convalescence and then a permanent 40 percent rating effective March 17, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disability did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, as required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. For his lumbar spine condition, he received a permanent 40 percent rating effective March 17, 2010, based on evidence showing significant functional loss and pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (Left Shoulder), Degenerative Arthritis of Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20001892
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and an increased rating for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of multiple joints were remanded.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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