I determined through Verizon this modem, although approved, is not certified and therefore the IMEI was not loaded in their database as a valid device. I also learned from Verizon that this would only be able to be used as a development device unless I signed up with their Open Development group and went through the process of getting all the pieces, modem, hat, and rpi, certified as a complete device. I ended up buying your certified IOT device and it is works fine with the same sim card.
In the end, your hardware and setup instructions were all good; it was Verizon!