The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to May 22, 2019 and denied a higher rating.,Since May 22, 2019, the Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 40 percent and remains denied.,The Veteran's left calcaneal spurs were initially rated at 10 percent prior to May 22, 2019 and remain denied.,Since May 22, 2019, the Veteran's left calcaneal spurs have been rated at 20 percent and remains denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s right shoulder disability has resulted in limitation of motion to a degree warranting a higher rating prior to May 22, 2019. The current 40% rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), Right shoulder impingement syndrome, Sub acromial and subdeltoid bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21000063
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 21000063.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will provide the Veteran with another VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, tendonitis, and degenerative arthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant private treatment records.
- Denied
The Veteran's disability ratings for neck and right shoulder conditions were reduced, but the Board found these reductions improper due to lack of proper procedural steps.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction in rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.,The reduction in rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.
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.