The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred during active service.
The deciding factor: A positive nexus opinion from Dr. C.N.B. established a link between the current right shoulder condition and the service-connected left shoulder disability.,No medical evidence supports a connection between the degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and the Veteran's active service, including his Abrams armor crewman duties.,The VA examiner concluded that the left knee disorder is not related to the Veteran's service as an Abrams armored crewman due to a post-service meniscal tear.,The June 2014 VA examination noted tinnitus during active service and diagnosed current tinnitus, establishing service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee disorder, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18116864
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18116864.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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