The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease (DJD), has not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent since February 1974.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left shoulder disability does not demonstrate limitation of motion to a degree that warrants a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code, and there is no evidence of recurrent dislocation or other significant functional impairment due to the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20080295
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,044 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20080295.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, and dry eye syndrome with pinguecula and punctate keratitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for his dry eye condition.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as DJD of the acromioclavicular joint, is at least as likely as not incurred in service or related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left shoulder has not been manifested by limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation, or impairment of the humerus. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current disability to service. The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's current condition did not arise in or was aggravated by service.
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.