The Veteran's left shoulder condition, including degenerative joint disease and a rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited motion of the left shoulder but no more than what was already reflected in the current 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5201, which is based on limitation of motion of the arm.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Rotator Cuff Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26008668
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 A26008668.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not establish that his service-connected disabilities had precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities due to a 2017 fall.
- Granted
The Board has revised the October 2015 rating decision to grant a 30 percent evaluation for left shoulder disability, effective June 24, 2011, based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, as well as service connection for tinnitus, were denied. The effective dates for these decisions are July 20, 2016.,It was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's shoulder conditions had increased in severity within a year prior to July 20, 2016.
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