The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for right shoulder arthritis effective February 1, 2024, and denied ratings higher than 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis, higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, higher than 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion, higher than 10 percent for right knee instability, and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's shoulder disability manifested as abduction limited to no less than 30 degrees since February 1, 2024, which warranted a higher rating of 30 percent. However, there was no evidence showing the criteria for ratings higher than 20 percent or 30 percent were met at other times.

Claimed conditions

right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, right knee limitation of flexion, right knee instability, right knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 18, 2025

Citation

A25100210

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