The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by painful limitation of motion at the shoulder level, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2012 onward.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s right shoulder disability is manifested by limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or any other degree of impairment warranting an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20023160
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 20023160.
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 appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, except for granting earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Denied
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 19, 2016, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is granted entitlement to a TDIU. The increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee tendonitis are denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, finding that the condition originated during active service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.