The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear has been rated at 10 percent prior to May 23, 2016, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss but no limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level.,The Veteran's umbilical hernia repair has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent). The evidence does not support a finding that her condition meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right shoulder rotator cuff tear is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects functional loss due to painful motion but no limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level. The evidence does not support an increase in her disability rating.,For her umbilical hernia repair, there is no indication that she has a small ventral hernia or post-operative wounds with weakening of abdominal wall requiring a supporting belt. Her condition is considered healed without disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear, Umbilical Hernia Repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2024
- Citation
- 24032908
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 258 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24032908.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposal to reduce the disability rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tear because it was not within the Board's jurisdiction to adjudicate such a non-final decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, shoulder, hand, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2025.
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