The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, which includes instability and degenerative arthritis, was denied. The current 20 percent rating is upheld as the evidence does not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show findings that would allow for a higher rating based on flexion or abduction limitations of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder instability, Degenerative arthritis (right shoulder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2026
- Citation
- A26029813
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 A26029813.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a denial of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder arthritis, left and right shoulder instability, and a right shoulder scar disabilities but granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for right shoulder instability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and denied increased ratings for right shoulder instability, allergic rhinitis, scars, status post right shoulder arthroscopy, and staph MRSA. A separate compensable rating for a neurological disability of the right upper extremity was remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for instability of the right shoulder, finding that there is no evidence of instability in the medical records and ruling out any such condition based on the November 2019 VA examiner's opinion.
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