The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder has been rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on range of motion limitations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left arm range of motion was limited to up to 30 degrees from the side during flare-ups and non-weight bearing conditions, consistent with the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081395
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (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 20081395.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder to obtain an addendum opinion that considers the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a status post left ankle fracture to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative spondylosis at L5-S1, left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and depressive disorder.
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