The Veteran's service connection for left elbow ulnar neuropathy and left shoulder arthritis has been granted. However, a separate compensable rating for the arthritis is denied as it would constitute impermissible pyramiding.
The deciding factor: The prior rating already contemplates impairment from both the status-post arthroscopic surgery and traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder, thus assigning an additional compensable rating for the arthritis would be improper under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Elbow Neurological Disability (Ulnar Neuropathy), Left Shoulder Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1739579
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 1739579.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw the appeal for left shoulder scars.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by limitation of motion at shoulder level with flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees. The Veteran's other impairment of humerus did not manifest by fibrous union, nonunion, or loss of head.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that his current condition is related to his active military service and not due to any pre-existing condition. The decision also notes that he had no injuries or events during service but did experience pain and stiffness in his left shoulder which worsened over time.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip and left shoulder disorders, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied separate ratings for sleep apnea and asthma, as well as an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with exercise asthma. The claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis was remanded.
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