Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and left shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records.

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left wrist disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's back disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left leg and left ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,,

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for his service-connected painful scar associated with right shoulder Bankart repair, effective date of service connection, and compensable rating have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to January 6, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder arthritis with bone spur and limitation of motion have been denied. The issue of service connection for major depression as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disabilities has been remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current diagnosed disabilities, as well as failure to report for a required VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left shoulder subluxation and a TDIU due to new evidence being added to the record without AOJ consideration, as well as issues with previous examinations.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder condition (impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis), anxiety, and depression. The issues are being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tear are rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2015. The left shoulder impingement syndrome with status post left shoulder repair is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran has a current left shoulder disability, but the VA examiner opined that it is most probably due to age-related degenerative joint disease (DJD). Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is inextricably intertwined with his left shoulder disability. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion on this issue.,The Veteran has a current headache condition, but did not report currently having them during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran served at Camp Lejeune with presumed exposure to contaminated water. Service connection may be established on a direct basis if related to exposure. Remand necessary for VA examinations and opinions.,The Veteran has a current diabetes condition, but did not report currently having it during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the dates specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and nervousness and depression have been granted. The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and pain. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for residual scars to the appendix and shoulder, as well as a forehead laceration, have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board denied effective dates prior to February 6, 2017 for a 20% disability rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome and a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as presumptively related to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service, pursuant to the PACT Act. The issues of left shoulder condition and right foot condition are remanded for further evaluation.