The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and also denied entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability did not warrant a higher rating as it did not result in ankylosis or impairment of the humerus, and there were no objective findings indicating actual ankylosis. The Veteran was found to be able to perform sedentary work.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder labral tear, left shoulder rotator cuff tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21073187
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 21073187.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the current medical opinion is inadequate and the record is incomplete without other opinions. The Veteran's left shoulder disorder may be related to service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claim for sinusitis is granted, and the increased rating claim for left shoulder labral tear is remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis, finding that it is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2020 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if these conditions are related to service.
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