The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder bicipital tendon tear and labral tear, finding that there is no evidence of limitation of motion to a position midway between the side and shoulder level.
The deciding factor: The clinical findings did not show limitation of motion to a position midway between the side and shoulder level, which is required for a rating in excess of 20 percent under DC 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- bicipital tendon tear, labral tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20048074
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 20048074.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the current medical opinion is inadequate and the record is incomplete without other opinions. The Veteran's left shoulder disorder may be related to service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeals related to temporary total disability ratings for shoulder disabilities and the award of TDIU with an effective date prior to March 25, 2015.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a labral tear, including SLAP, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and glenohumeral joint dislocation status post right shoulder labral repair with a remplissage procedure. The decision finds that the Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder condition was aggravated by his service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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.