Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis, effective December 29, 1994. The Veteran is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The Board concluded that the current diagnosis of left shoulder strain is unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, finding that the condition originated during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and right (major) shoulder rotator cuff strain ratings are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a post-operative report from June 2016 and scheduling examinations to assess the current severity of the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is being considered on its merits.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 31, 2017. His PTSD with depressive features and alcohol abuse remains at a 50% disability rating. The ratings for his gunshot wound residuals are denied.

The Veteran's shrapnel wounds to the left shoulder and elbow have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each.,An earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for the left shoulder wound is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left shoulder scar, a higher rating for the left shoulder disability, and a higher rating for the right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and physical conditions like right shoulder osteoarthritis, prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder DJD, and lower back disability claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral hips or bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis, left wrist condition, and left shoulder condition due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the decisions on these other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, including his service connection claim and etiology.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 14, 2016. The Board has determined that a remand for a new VA examination is necessary due to the Veteran's reported worsening of his left shoulder since the last VA examination in September 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability, but did not make a final decision on it.