Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded and will be re-adjudicated.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current symptoms may be related to his in-service activities, but further examination is needed to determine if they are directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset during service and is granting service connection for it. However, the rating for his scar needs to be remanded as there was testimony indicating a change in severity since the last examination. The right leg condition and low back strain are also being remanded due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and bladder condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of motion of the arm of the major extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's injury in 2007 is as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder, as well as an increased evaluation for the Veteran's right knee condition due to insufficient evidence or examination reports.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various ankle and knee conditions, as well as a shoulder strain post rotator cuff tear and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal in October 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims for other musculoskeletal disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), cervical condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all denied. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's tinnitus as it manifested within one year of his separation from active service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating issues related to various body parts due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus, type II.,The evidence supports the Veteran's claims that his current disabilities are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left knee strain have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, vertigo associated with mild TBI, and shin splints status post stress fracture, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 30, 2018 and October 12, 2018 for the grant of service connection for right shoulder strain, aspergillosis, status post lobectomy, scar, status-post lobectomy, olecranon bursitis, left elbow, and olecranon bursitis, right elbow have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 30, 2018 and October 12, 2018 for the grant of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of several disabilities is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The AOJ must obtain all relevant medical records, including those stored in the Vista Imaging system.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating of 10 percent for residuals of a right hand surgery scar. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the left shoulder disability claim, including a new medical examination to assess range of motion and address flare-ups. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.