The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder is granted a noncompensable rating, and he has service connection for his left ankle and lower back disabilities as secondary to his right ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side in the Veteran's left shoulder, which precludes a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The June 2020 medical opinion provided by Dr. K. M. established that the Veteran’s service-connected right ankle disability caused secondary injuries to his left ankle and lower back.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Disability, Left Ankle Disability, Lower Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20057908
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 20057908.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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 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.
- 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 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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