The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, including pain, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim. The decision also notes that the Veteran's symptoms began during basic training and persisted throughout active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's lay testimony regarding the onset of his bilateral shoulder symptoms during basic training was credible, and this opinion outweighed the negative medical opinion provided by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral acromioclavicular arthrosis with rotator cuff labral tear and tendinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24044708
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 A24044708.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for bilateral shoulder strain, ankle tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate VA opinions.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is related to service, resolving all doubts in his favor. The evidence shows a current diagnosis of bilateral shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis, which the Veteran attributes to injuries sustained during military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for middle back strain. The claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hip sprain, and bilateral shoulder strain are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral shoulder strain, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
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