Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, shoulder, and low back disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an adequate nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The claims for increased evaluations for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee instability were also denied. The claim for left shoulder dyskinesis was partially denied, with a 20 percent evaluation granted from October 13, 2020, but the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent remains pending. The Veteran's claim for TBI/post-concussion syndrome with insomnia was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and a left shoulder disability due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors and insufficient evidence linking current disabilities to service, respectively. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an examination for the left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty and OCS from June 1991 to March 1992. The VA is required to verify these dates and provide an addendum medical opinion on whether her claimed conditions are related to service, including aggravation during OCS.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability from April 17, 2012 is dismissed.,The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal on the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability prior to April 17, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent from December 30, 2010 to May 1, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating was granted.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability due to his withdrawal from the case.,Service connection was denied for back, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus disabilities as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension (HTN), and hypothyroidism were dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Other claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's photophobia and dry eyes are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2011.

The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a brain condition, left shoulder disorder, and GERD due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition, finding that his pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service and thus no aggravation occurred.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded for further development.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of rating a left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome due to previous remands and the need for a new medical examination.