The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement was denied. The TDIU claim prior to March 5, 2020 was also denied. However, from July 1, 2020 onwards, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement and the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 5, 2020 was denied as he could still secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. From July 1, 2020 onwards, the evidence demonstrated that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his major depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Impingement, Degenerative Arthritis of the Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21076418
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 21076418.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to in-service participation on a boxing team. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records, including private physical therapy records, and schedule an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that his current conditions are related to injuries sustained during military service. The appeal is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective dates for various disability evaluations have been granted as of September 23, 2019. The claims were based on new evidence that reopened the service connection for these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, shoulder impingement, shoulder arthroscopic scars, painful scar of the right shoulder, and knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia and Baker's cyst. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.