Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left elbow disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, dizziness, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all being remanded due to the need for additional development.,No current diagnoses were found for any of the claimed conditions. The Veteran's reported symptoms during service did not result in treatment or diagnosis.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraine headaches is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the left shoulder disability and cold injuries to bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is unable to perform many daily activities without assistance due to his orthopedic and neurological impairments.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection of right shoulder, back, right hip, right wrist, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's pain disorders are being evaluated in light of recent legal developments regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, but the cases of right and left shoulder disabilities remain pending as they are remanded.

Service connection is granted for neck degenerative joint disease and strain. Service connection is denied for right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right shoulder tendinitis, and left shoulder tendinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 11, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied it for right ear hearing loss. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the October 2023 VA opinions addressing secondary service connection. The Veteran's status-post left total shoulder replacement and residual limited motion are being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Veteran's acquired immune deficiency syndrome disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current regulations.,Service connection for right shoulder scars was granted effective June 11, 2010. However, a compensable (greater than zero) disability rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on GERD and a right shoulder disability, as well as the denials of service connection for alopecia, bronchitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, lentigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal during a hearing before the undersigned. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder and bilateral knee disorder as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms, and the Veteran's assertions are not credible.

The Board has found that the VA examinations for left shoulder instability and scar are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain new evaluations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include left shoulder instability and a scar.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left inguinal hernia and scar have been denied. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder strain, and PFB.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for psychiatric disabilities, shoulder and knee injuries, hearing loss, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The remand also includes a request to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty with the Navy Reserve.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective dates for various disabilities, and SMC at the housebound rate. The representative requested earlier effective dates for multiple conditions and disability ratings.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded to allow for consideration of new and pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and left abdomen scar, as well as service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral shoulder, hematuria, and a neck disorder. New examinations are required to determine the current severity of these conditions and their etiology.