The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder disability is denied. A higher rating of 20 percent is granted from December 7, 2009 to May 18, 2011 and a higher rating of 30 percent is granted from May 18, 2011. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to June 7, 2017 is remanded for further review.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s right shoulder disability increased in severity after December 7, 2009 and reached a level of limitation at shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating. From May 18, 2011, his range of motion was limited to midway between side and shoulder level, qualifying for a 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21004830
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 21004830.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 50 percent for his right shoulder disability beginning October 28, 2014. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings prior to and after this date are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability prior to March 11, 2022 is denied. The claim for TDIU prior to October 17, 2014 is also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for additional examinations regarding muscle group injuries and neurological symptoms related to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action regarding his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, including on the basis of disabilities affecting a single body system (orthopedic), during the entire period on appeal.
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