The Board has granted service connection for left rotator cuff tear and right shoulder strain, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the use of crutches for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities likely contributes to some of the pain in his left shoulder and right shoulder strain, but does not establish direct service connection. The Board has granted secondary service connection based on aggravation by service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disorder, left rotator cuff tear, right shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2011
- Citation
- 1140871
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 1140871.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge, and the medical opinion found that his current condition is not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied his claim for right knee disorder. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg disorder and lumbar spine disorder.
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