The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his right knee disability and left knee disability, are related to injuries sustained during service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records were not provided for in-service knee or shoulder injuries, but the Veteran testified that he injured both knees while carrying a fellow service member during training exercises. The private medical opinions supported this testimony and linked the current disabilities to his in-service injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Traumatic Arthritis, Left Shoulder Rotator Cuff Rupture and Repair Residuals, Right Shoulder Strain, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Knee Meniscus Injury, Left Knee Traumatic Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1721793
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 1721793.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the earliest claim for service connection was filed on June 3, 2024, and thus no earlier effective date is warranted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and assigned a 20% rating effective March 16, 2023. The appellant is eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2023 rating 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.
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