Shoulder decisions — 2022

The appeals of the claims for right ear hearing loss, dental disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence or new information.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for LEFT shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with AC joint osteoarthritis, LEFT ring finger limitation of motion, and a LEFT wrist scar have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for a RIGHT chest scar (status post cyst removal), secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety has been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for deviated nasal septum from a broken nose has been denied due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,The Veteran's appeals for secondary service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but has remanded the cases of right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence. The respiratory condition case is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), alopecia, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder osteoarthritis, left elbow tendonitis, neck pain, hypertension (HTN), and rhinitis were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these claims before the decision was promulgated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected knee condition and there is no persuasive medical evidence showing its onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for the conditions listed, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Both disabilities were found to be less likely than not incurred or caused by service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (chronic low back pain), chronic cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disabilities, colon diverticulosis, and degenerative joint diseases of multiple joints. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since. Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection based on noise exposure during service. The claims for a right shoulder disorder, sinus disorder, headaches and vertigo (claimed as secondary to sinus disorder), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left arm, right arm, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities have been granted. The VA is remanding these issues to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background during the period from December 23, 2011 to February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective February 18, 2013. He is now receiving SMC at the housebound rate, effective October 16, 2013.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and a respiratory disability (to include COPD) to be further evaluated due to insufficient evidence in previous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or within one year after active service.,There were no findings of current disabilities in the Veteran's STRs or subsequent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip replacement with scar is granted a higher rating from July 21, 2016. Service connection for his left shoulder and left knee conditions are both established as secondary to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral ankle disabilities are found to be related to service, while the flatfoot and TBI claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but service connection is not granted.,Service connection was denied for right collar bone condition, left knee disability, left wrist disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this requirement as of March 30, 2011.