The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% and denied a higher rating. The right shoulder rotator cuff tear with tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthritis was previously rated at 20%, but the reduction to 30% has been found void ab initio. A higher rating for this condition after February 7, 2017 is also denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at a 30% rating since February 7, 2017, and no higher rating is granted.
The deciding factor: For the right knee, the evidence does not show any additional functional loss due to pain or instability. The current limitation of motion (flexion limited to 90 degrees) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's shoulder disability has not improved such that he can function under ordinary conditions of life and work. Therefore, the reduction from 30% to 20% is found to be improper. The current 30% rating remains in effect.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right knee, Right shoulder rotator cuff tear with tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21012860
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 21012860.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied, as well as the claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is related to service-connected chondromalacia and proximal patellar tendinosis of the left knee. The Board also needs another VA medical opinion addressing chronic presumptions and direct service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, left knee, and right knee due to inadequate VA examinations in August 2020 and January 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
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