The Veteran's left shoulder muscle damage and degenerative joint disease were improperly reduced, resulting in a restoration of the original ratings. The Veteran is granted a 10% rating for his left shoulder muscle damage from April 1, 2018, and denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his DJD.
The deciding factor: The reduction in evaluation was improper due to it being in place for more than 20 years and there is evidence of fraud. The Veteran's left shoulder muscle damage has not been manifested by limitation of motion or functional ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Muscle Damage, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23010497
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23010497.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is determined to be causally related to his service-connected Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease, leading to a liver biopsy. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for DJD and rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder was dismissed because the VA Form 10182 was not timely filed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disabilities is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examinations.
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