The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence following an August 2012 left shoulder surgery is denied as the evidence does not support a need for further convalescence beyond December 31, 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is also denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements at any point during the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that a period of convalescence beyond December 31, 2012 was required as a result of the August 2012 surgery. The medical records do not indicate severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds or therapeutic immobilization.,The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for schedular TDIU at any point during the period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Impingement, Superior Labral Tear of Left Shoulder, Chondromalacia Grade II of Humeral Head, Rotator Cuff Recurrent Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22055738
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 22055738.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's past-due benefits were awarded in the June 2021 rating decision, which granted a 20% increased rating for left shoulder impingement. This contributed to his overall 100% disability rating from March 26, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for left shoulder disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a 70% rating for PTSD, effective July 11, 2017, is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his left shoulder disability, and he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.
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.