Charles Tillman v. HHS - Influenza, right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On July 13, 2022, Charles Tillman filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 29, 2020 caused a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. He also received Pneumovax in the right deltoid that day, but Pneumovax was not a covered vaccine under the Program.

Mr. Tillman had no documented prior right-shoulder pain.

About six weeks after vaccination, he reported right shoulder pain since the flu shot, with significant burning and pain at injection, trouble sleeping, and no relief from ice, heat, or Voltaren. Orthopedic records in 2021 again tied the pain to the September 2020 flu shot and described difficulty working as an electrician.

He received a corticosteroid injection. A later annual visit documented continued shoulder pain interrupting sleep and limiting work, and the record referred to an MRI showing a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear, although the MRI report itself was not filed.

Respondent contested the Table SIRVA elements and severity. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran found entitlement on August 5, 2025. On December 15, 2025, he adopted respondent's proffer and awarded Mr.

Tillman $10,000.00 as a lump sum.