The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran has limited motion with pain, but without limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level or limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees from the side.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating as his range of motion is limited to 90 degrees with pain, but without reaching the required levels for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (Right Shoulder), Scars of the Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20033718
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 20033718.
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 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service or a service-connected condition. The claim was remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease, rotator cuff tear, and bicipital tendinitis, is rated at 40 percent from May 25, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.
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.