The Board denied increased ratings for right shoulder disability and median and ulnar nerve impingement of the right upper extremity with right shoulder impingement, finding that the Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no evidence of ankylosis, impairment of the clavicle or scapula, and no significant functional loss due to pain. The Veteran’s symptoms were primarily related to limitation of motion without other disabling conditions such as instability or dislocation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Degenerative Joint Disease (right shoulder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20046440
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20046440.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was denied service connection initially, but new evidence received after the March 2008 rating decision is relevant to this issue. The Board finds that a current diagnosis for right shoulder impingement syndrome exists and that it did not have its onset during service or otherwise be related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, but the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for benefits under the VA PCAFC related to a June 2023 application is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided do not comply with the remand directives. Therefore, another remand is necessary to obtain the requested retrospective estimates for the Veteran's right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.
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