The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion sufficient for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence supporting a higher rating based on current functional limitations.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not show limitation of motion to a level that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes for shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms are primarily pain, which is already accounted for in his current rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated based on its functional limitations and current range of motion. While the Veteran reports chronic pain, there is no evidence showing limitation to a level that would warrant a higher rating under any applicable Diagnostic Codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with pars defect
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21070086
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 21070086.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and sinusitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of painful right ankle scars is denied. The appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for painful right ankle scars and a compensable rating for nonpainful right ankle scars is also denied. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person prior to January 8, 2019, and after July 1, 2019, is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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