The Veteran's request for a higher rating for right shoulder tendonitis prior to November 7, 2019 was denied. The claim for a higher rating from November 7, 2019 to May 17, 2020 is also denied as the current assigned 40% rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5201.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and degenerative arthritis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the degree of motion limitation or ankylosis, which are the primary factors considered in evaluating these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Tendonitis, Right Shoulder Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074707
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 21074707.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.
- Denied
The Veteran's right shoulder replacement resulted in intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion, with flexion and abduction limited to 100 degrees. The claim for a higher initial rating is denied.
- 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.
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