The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,The Veteran was granted an effective date of October 1, 2019, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the symptoms warranted a higher rating under any other Diagnostic Codes related to disabilities of the shoulder.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder labral tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26002386
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 26002386.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claim for sinusitis is granted, and the increased rating claim for left shoulder labral tear is remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which was dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for upper back pain as secondary to a service-connected left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of private treatment records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, and low back disabilities.
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.