The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent rating for left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy from April 5, 2011 to September 14, 2012 and a 20 percent rating for low back disability. The claim for a higher rating for the left shoulder was denied.
The deciding factor: The limitation of motion in the Veteran's left shoulder more nearly approximated midway between side and shoulder level during the appeal period, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the low back, the range of motion was insufficient to warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy, lumbar spine herniated nuclear pulposus with degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2024
- Citation
- 24001935
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding it manifested to a compensable degree within one year of the Veteran's separation from service. The other claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for left and right hand arthritis, as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis in the Veteran's hands. The claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left hip arthritis, and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy are remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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