The Veteran's left shoulder strain, neck disorder (secondary to left shoulder disability), back disability, and TMJ have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for his left shoulder strain prior to September 20, 2012, and the claim for increased ratings beyond this date has been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's left shoulder strain caused painful motion since at least 2007. The August 2023 VA examination report did not show ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, which are required for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder strain, neck disorder (to include as secondary to left shoulder disability), back disability, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2024
- Citation
- 24017883
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 24017883.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the colon is granted as secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder to include alcohol use disorder. The back disability claim is remanded for further development.
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