Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected scars are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right shoulder bursitis has been reopened and granted. The claim of service connection for hepatitis C is remanded, as are the issues related to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint diseases of various joints, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during the Gulf War. Service connection is also granted for right and left knee disorders, as well as sleep apnea, based on in-service events. The Veteran's eczema and GERD are rated as they currently stand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining all available service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and a bilateral wrist condition due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities. The appeal regarding a bilateral shoulder condition is being remanded for further examination.,Service connection will not be granted as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral elbow or wrist condition, nor any link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's dominant hand and the need for clarification on the nature and severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes cavus. The claims for these conditions were remanded by the Board in February 2021 due to incomplete medical records and further opinions were requested.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of such condition during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that the current right shoulder disability is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, rated under DC 5202, has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, spine disorder, shoulder injury, CTS, and ear hearing loss are related to service. The VA is also instructed to clarify the dates of INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder and bicep tear disability is not an additional disability resulting from VA treatment on October 15, 2016. The evidence does not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's initial 20% disability rating for the left shoulder disability is denied as it has not been manifested by limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, ankylosis, or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral foot, neck, right knee, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss, and initial ratings higher than 20 percent for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and insomnia have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for his service-connected insomnia has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disabilities as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension or limitation of motion in either shoulder that meets the criteria for higher ratings.