The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disorder prior to September 14, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder disorder was manifested by no more than pain with limited motion of the minor extremity to 55 degrees of flexion and 90 degrees of abduction; limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees or less from side has not been demonstrated.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2025
- Citation
- 25004876
Veterans Law Judge
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 25004876.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the August 2017 VA examiner regarding which symptoms are related to his service-connected left trapezius strain and whether any non-service-connected conditions represent a progression of that disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating for muscle atrophy due to thoracic outlet syndrome and related conditions has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and acquired psychiatric disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, and left shoulder bicipital tendonitis with an effective date of September 1, 2017.
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.