The Veteran's initial disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not show that her range of motion is limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's active range of motion in her right arm was found to be limited to 81 degrees forward flexion and 80 degrees abduction, which is within normal limits for a major extremity.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease, Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26021486
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 A26021486.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis was granted, effective August 19, 2024. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any presumption or new evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes strain, tendonitis, and bursitis, has been rated at a minimum of 20 percent since August 20, 2008. The effective date for this rating is set to that date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of September 7, 2023 for a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's right shoulder condition. The decision finds that entitlement to this increased rating arose on September 7, 2023.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease and right shoulder instability due to inadequate VA examination prior to the December 12, 2024 rating decision.
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