Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, granting service connection.,Service connection is granted for the right knee disorder and right ankle disorder, but a rating greater than 20 percent for the left shoulder disorder remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right and left eye disorders as well as right and left shoulder disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury causing additional myopia in his eyes while on active duty or during Reserve Component service. The Board also found that the disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is the major joint, has been rated at 30 percent since February 2015. The Board granted a higher rating of 40 percent for pain and range of motion limited to 25 degrees from the side during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to use a wheelchair and motorized scooter for locomotion. The Board granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, shoulder, knee, and spine disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms during or following service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and left knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions based on the Veteran's lay testimony of in-service pain.

The Veteran's muscle tension headaches are granted an initial 30 percent evaluation, effective December 23, 2014. Service connection for a right shoulder condition is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including increased ratings for various conditions and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and glenohumeral joint degenerative joint disease, calcific body, and postoperative dislocation of the right shoulder prior to January 17, 2017, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and a right arm disorder. The evidence did not support direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds remand necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by obtaining a muscle injuries DBQ. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appeal of hearing loss and tinnitus service connection claims are dismissed. The heart disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder supraspinatus tear with degenerative joint disease of glenohumeral joint and left shoulder supraspinatus tear due to additional evidence obtained after the July 2019 Statement of the Case. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is not service-connected, has been rated at 30 percent since June 24, 2011. This rating reflects the limitation of motion to a degree that meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for various conditions was proper and denied the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder, bilateral knee, lumbar spine, and PTSD disabilities due to incomplete records. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right and left shoulder conditions due to conflicting findings from previous examinations.