The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to at least 25 degrees from the side, which would warrant a 30 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion and functional limitations caused by pain more closely approximated limitation of motion at shoulder level (120 degrees), which warrants a 20 percent rating under DC 5201, and he is already rated at 20 percent for painful motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Left clavicle fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2020
- Citation
- A20018572
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 A20018572.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left clavicle fracture resulted in painful motion of the AC joint, which is rated at a minimum of 20 percent under VA regulations. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of the cause of the Veteran's death to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining private medical records and a supplemental medical opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's left shoulder disability, specifically the residuals of his clavicular fracture, is rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's condition more closely approximated limitation of motion of the arm midway between the side and shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is now rated at 20 percent, effective April 10, 2023. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the left clavicle fracture from October 29, 2015.
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