Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of written withdrawal from his appeals, and the criteria have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to military service, specifically his already service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and to ensure that all necessary information is obtained. The claims are being returned due to potential exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to a lack of private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the records regarding when certain claims were filed and addressed. The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection awards, but there are discrepancies in the documentation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by strain with acromioclavicular (AC) separation third degree and post traumatic changes in AC joint and periarticular osteopenia, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bloating, impaired coordination, arthritis of the joints, shortness of breath and GERD conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for chronic abdominal pain, traumatic brain injury residuals, and a left shoulder disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and PTSD.,The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, and there is a reasonable doubt in favor of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete examinations, new evidence needed, and potential aggravation of existing disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper spine and neck injury, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and service or any service-connected conditions. The issues regarding right shoulder, right knee instability, right knee arthritis (post medial meniscus repair), and left knee arthritis have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety is granted. The Board finds the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The private examiner opined that it was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Right Shoulder Injury, finding that the persuasive weight of the evidence is against a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.,The Veteran's claims were based on in-service car accidents, but his current symptoms did not manifest until many years after service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, neck, and left shoulder conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a right shoulder condition and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with additional medical evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the ankle disability as it was granted in a previous decision. The right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that no earlier effective date could be granted due to a July 6, 2017 auto-generated 'intent to file' form which did not preserve an effective date of July 6, 2017.