Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no showing of a disease or injury during service, continuous symptoms since service, or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative changes, rendered him unable to secure substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2022. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, with some issues being remanded and others having their decisions left pending further development.,No effective date earlier than May 25, 2021 was granted for the adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from February 6, 2013. The Board found that due to his service-connected disabilities, he required the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty to assist errors, specifically regarding obtaining medical records from Desoto Medical Center. The issues include compressed vertebrae in neck, left shoulder strain, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder strain (rotator cuff tendinitis), and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also not service-connected.,An initial rating of 20 percent for cervical strain was granted effective March 31, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or significant shoulder impairment warranting the requested ratings.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 6, 2020 for his service connection for left shoulder arthritis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability may have caused or aggravated his claimed left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and sinusitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or sinusitis, nor has he been treated for these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches with fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, and right knee disability have not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the June 2022 rating decision, which denied a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, is flawed due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's disability was evaluated without considering the ameliorative effects of medication and did not include range of motion testing in both shoulders. Therefore, the Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular strain has been granted service connection.,There is no current hearing loss disability for the purpose of VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his case file and because of the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's back disability, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, asthma, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral shoulder condition. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA has not obtained relevant medical records, including those from Care in the Community and Vista Imaging, which are pertinent to his right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to lack of anatomical loss of hands or feet.