The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder tendonitis, as well as his cervical spine disability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for each shoulder and 30 percent for the cervical spine.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's findings showed limited motion in both shoulders and cervical spine, but no ankylosis or other severe impairment, which did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Tendonitis, Left Shoulder Tendonitis (status post arthroscopy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21063019
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,893 · Granted: 31% (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 21063019.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to aspiration, and they have found a duty to assist error in their initial decision. They are now requesting a medical opinion to determine if the service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis is rated at 20 percent from February 6, 2017. The rating for thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome remains at 40 percent prior to September 22, 2025 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions considering all evidence of record.
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