Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for back, right elbow, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's recurrent lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder strain, and right ankle strain. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or were caused by his active service.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions until years after separation from service, and there is no medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and left shoulder disability was denied. The Veteran received a 40 percent rating for his left shoulder disability prior to December 12, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinion and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and rating consideration due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues of increased disability ratings for left shoulder disabilities and entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the left arm are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his hearing request and the Board may only consider evidence up to 90 days prior to withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of her delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) was denied because the evidence did not show that she had a physical or mental disability preventing her from pursuing education within the original period of eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent. His DEA benefits were also denied.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, and right ankle deltoid ligament sprain.,Service connection is also granted for cervical strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The left shoulder disorder case is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 17, 2021, for service connection were denied as the complete claim was not filed within one year of his intent to file a claim.,VA awarded SMC and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities starting from March 17, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for various cervical, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear tinnitus, back DJD, shoulder DJD, and shin splints have all been granted.,All four conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back disorder, multiple radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental and physical incapacity. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for heart palpitations, hypertension, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, back condition, and neck condition have been denied as there is no current disability found by the VA examinations.,No service connection will be granted for these conditions due to a lack of evidence of a present disability.