Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes. The reasons include a lack of corroborating evidence regarding service connection and conflicting medical records on the diagnosis of diabetes.

Service connection granted for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied for left shoulder arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability began during service, while his current left shoulder condition is not related to in-service symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether pre-existing right shoulder dislocations worsened during service. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon for a definitive opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, heart condition, hypothyroidism, migratory inflammatory arthritis of the elbows, wrists, fingers, thumbs, hips, and knees, as well as left and right shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,Service connection was not granted because there is no medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the issues of service connection for nerve disorder secondary to his shoulder disability were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but he seeks a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any currently diagnosed right shoulder conditions are related to service. Additional development is needed.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis (associated with left knee impairment), and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeal is remanded to obtain updated evidence regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's service connection appeals for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his appeal for hypertension. The Veteran withdrew these claims during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, with the presumption of service connection due to its chronic nature and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and assistance prior to the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right shoulder disorder, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his left lower leg disability.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and hypertension are being remanded for further development as new evidence has been received.,Specifically, the RO needs to obtain VA examination records from September 2018 and private medical records from Dr. J.E.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ear pain, lumbar spine disability and left shoulder disability, were found to be of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic, atypical ear pain with tinnitus was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbosacral strain, as well as a TDIU, was denied. The case was remanded multiple times, and the Veteran was granted a TDIU in February 2016. Attorney fees were withheld from past-due benefits awarded to the Veteran due to his representation by S.R., who is now eligible for attorney fees based on the grant of past-due benefits.

The Veteran's claims for eczema, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma have been granted. The claim for a left shoulder disability is being remanded.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims for eczema, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis, which are now presumed related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral shoulder condition, and a sleep disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, respiratory issues, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are being remanded.