The Veteran's status post right shoulder acromioplasty is granted a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's right accessory nerve palsy prior to January 2, 2017 is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 20 percent. From January 2, 2017 forward, his right accessory nerve palsy is granted a 40 percent rating. His right shoulder surgery scar remains at noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder acromioplasty has been found to have functional loss equivalent to limitation of motion midway between the side and shoulder level, warranting a 30 percent rating. The right accessory nerve palsy prior to January 2, 2017 did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it was only mild incomplete paralysis in all radicular groups. From January 2, 2017 forward, the Veteran's condition manifested moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups, warranting a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Acromioplasty, Right Accessory Nerve Palsy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20079644
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 20079644.
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.
- Denied
The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome with right shoulder acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair from September 18, 2001 to December 2, 2001, and after July 2, 2002.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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.