The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral gout and right shoulder tendonitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher than a 20 percent rating for right shoulder tendonitis from March 11, 2017.
The deciding factor: The examination reports provided by the VA did not show more frequent exacerbations or limitations of motion that would warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's gout was inactive and did not result in chronic residuals, while his right shoulder tendonitis had limited pain but no functional loss beyond what is compensated under the current 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral gout, right shoulder tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006611
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reversal or revision of August 2011 and February 2012 rating decisions on the basis of CUE.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, as well as increased ratings for certain service-connected conditions.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss, high blood pressure, right shoulder tendonitis, tinnitus, and left knee strain was dismissed due to untimely filing.
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