The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20% prior to May 3, 2022 and 30% thereafter. The claim for higher ratings remains denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been shown to result in limitation of motion with frequent episodes of recurrent dislocation, but no ankylosis or fibrous union was found. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on additional functional impairment due to pain during flare-ups as the VA examiners did not provide such information.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Recurrent Dislocation of Left Shoulder Scapulohumeral Joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22049143
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 22049143.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since December 2020, and the Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 30% based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, shoulder conditions, and migraines, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 4, 2020 to November 18, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder labral tear and recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint was granted. The Veteran received a separate 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation from December 4, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.
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.