Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for clarification of diagnoses and functional loss.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for COPD, asbestos exposure, and emphysema as a result of asbestos exposure. The right shoulder adhesive capsulitis with arthritis was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral knee disorder due to the absence of current disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The Veteran's lower back disability remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for lumbar strain and right shoulder strain, including as secondary to a left shoulder disability. Additional evidence was added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and back disability did not have their onset in service, did not manifest as arthritis within one year of discharge, and are not otherwise causally related to service. Service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder tear, right knee strain, and left knee strain have been granted. The remaining issues were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, and claimed lower and mid-back condition with stomach pain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar disability and left shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to conflicting audiometric findings. Further VA audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to February 20, 2014.

The Veteran's acromioclavicular joint arthritis with rotator cuff tear, right shoulder is granted a 40 percent disability rating. Service connection for left knee condition and right hip disability are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left shoulder disability due to a torn rotator cuff repair, as well as an incomplete search for informed consent records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a neck disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder due to their inextricable link with the service connection claim for a neck disability. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a sinus disorder and a left shoulder disorder due to insufficient development. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are not considered probative, as there is no current diagnosis of a sinus disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including neck disorder with headaches, back pain disorder, sleep apnea, residual of right shoulder injury, residual of right hamstring muscle injury, residual of left ankle sprain, and residual of left hip injury. The Veteran's chest pain was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions.,The Veteran's right and left wrist conditions are remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions.,The Veteran's left knee condition is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, left hand, and right hand arthritis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of right knee and shoulder disabilities, but has remanded several issues including rating increases and effective dates.