The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, but his left arm disorders are rated as non-compensably disabling. The combined rating is 100 percent, with no anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand preventing natural elbow action with prosthesis in place.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear, Osteoarthritis of Acromioclavicular Joint (non-dominant), Muscle Injury, Residual Compound Comminuted Fracture of First Four Ribs Right Side, Group II, Severe, Residual of Right Lung Wound, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Degenerative Joint Disease, Cervical Spine, Residual Gunshot Wound Involving Group I, Moderate, Left Elbow Degenerative Joint Disease, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2012
- Citation
- 1240807
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 1240807.
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 service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted, with the effective date set at January 17, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are currently rated at 60 percent, 20 percent, and varying percentages respectively.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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