The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity disabilities, including radiculopathy and rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder, have resulted in functional impairment equivalent to loss of use since July 18, 2014. The Board has granted an effective date of July 18, 2014 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected LUE radiculopathy and rotator cuff syndrome have resulted in functional impairment equivalent to loss of use since July 18, 2014, as evidenced by his inability to perform activities requiring effective function of the left hand due to severe pain and reduced motion.
- Claimed conditions
- LUE radiculopathy, rotator cuff syndrome of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 29, 2023
- Citation
- A23037547
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 A23037547.
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 RUE and LUE radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, effective June 7, 2019.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) more than a year after the relevant rating decisions were issued.
- Granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity radiculopathy and a 60 percent rating for the left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the symptoms manifest in severe incomplete paralysis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further development and adjudication.
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