Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral lower extremity disorder (excluding knees), and bilateral upper extremity disorder (excluding shoulders) as these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and treatment records. The issues include right knee, left knee, rash of the entire body, ingrown toenails, indigestion, bilateral pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, eczema of the right lower leg and chest, left chin scar, and left elbow scar. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service or any in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disorders and right and left knee disorders, finding that there was not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee total knee arthroplasty, and left shoulder disability. However, it found that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder conditions, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased rating for left shoulder disability and service connection for low back disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to his left shoulder disability, as there was no evidence of limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level or worse. For the low back disability, the appeal was also denied as there is no evidence showing a chronic disease in service or during the applicable presumption period.

The Board has found the Veteran credible to report pain in his right shoulder that began during service and continues since then. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was caused by a disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder and elbow disorders are related to service, including consideration of undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a lack of current diagnosis and resolution of previously diagnosed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, IBS, and low back pain characterized by scoliosis, degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a current disability related to service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral shoulder pain and bilateral hip pain. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for a jaw condition. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a jaw condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder pain/strain and right knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected condition. The claim of service connection for hydradenitis is remanded due to new evidence being added during the appeal period.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions because the preponderance of the evidence did not support that these disabilities began in or are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy due to lack of full service records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide his National Guard service records, and a VA examination is required to determine if his current condition is related to in-service events.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol abuse, left shoulder recurrent dislocations and scar, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The attorney is entitled to 20% of any past-due benefits awarded as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new lay testimony relating his disabilities to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the remaining issues of service connection. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, while other conditions are not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right and left shoulder strain, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are favorable findings by the AOJ. The claims for service connection for bilateral collar bone conditions have been remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.