The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for his left shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tear repair and hemiarthroplasty, denied an initial compensable rating for his left shoulder surgical scars, and granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's pain and weakness in his left shoulder, which more closely approximated a severe level, as well as the lack of painful or unstable scars and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tear repair and hemiarthroplasty, left shoulder surgical scars, unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25042405
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms more closely approximated those required for such a rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 7, 2020, for the award of a 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder and TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
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.