The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability and DDD of the lumbar spine was denied. The Veteran had a higher rating (20%) granted for his left shoulder disability since June 28, 2017, but no greater rating is warranted. His DDD of the lumbar spine remains at a 20% rating from May 11, 2012 to September 9, 2019 and higher than that since then.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated based on limitation of motion under DC 5201. Despite arthritis in the shoulder, his range of motion remained normal with no functional loss due to pain or other factors during flare-ups. The DDD of the lumbar spine was also rated based on limitation of motion under DCs 5003 and 5242-5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20043398
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 20043398.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that he did not require convalescence beyond August 31, 2011 following his surgery.
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