The Veteran's service connection claim for a left arm and shoulder disability, claimed as a left arm swelling, diagnosed to include degenerative joint disease, rotator cuff tear, and tendinopathy, is granted.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema, COPD, fibrosis, bronchitis, lung 'blisters,' and status post spontaneous pneumothorax, to include as a result of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The deciding factor: The Veteran experienced an in-service left shoulder injury during service and has been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease, rotator cuff tear, and tendinopathy since separation from service.,The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders are not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Rotator Cuff Tear, Tendinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147619
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 knee disabilities have been rated based on their effects on his ability to perform activities of daily living, with a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals and a 40 percent rating for limited extension. A separate 10 percent rating has also been granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right feet has been granted with a rating of 20 percent each. However, his request for TDIU remains pending as it was not initially addressed by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to December 9, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to limited range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.
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