Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current right shoulder pain is considered to have started during his military service, and the Board found that there was a causal relationship between his in-service injury and his current condition.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted. The Board noted that the Veteran displayed symptoms consistent with the onset of sleep apnea during his active service and continuously thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, left and right shoulder, left and right wrist, sinusitis, colon polyp, and skin disabilities due to their recent onset or lack of treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo an examination for his claimed low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed illnesses manifested by right and left shoulder pain, as well as right and left hip pain have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted service connection in a December 2020 rating decision, and the appeal for this issue is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new evidence received in the record. The Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and other conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted since the prior final January 2016 rating decision, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the claims for service connection for left ankle disability, left shoulder disability (other than bicipital tendonitis), and athlete's foot are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for a VA Gulf War examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected right and left shoulder glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) and acromioclavicular OA with widening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and acne due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the AOJ sending development letters to his former address. The AOJ needs to send these letters to his current address and ensure any supplemental statement of the case is sent there as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and for a TDIU determination due to inadequate examination reports in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, sinus and/or allergy conditions (claimed as a sinus condition), and headache disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.,Further evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder condition. The VA examiner provided a negative opinion, stating that there is no known mechanism by which the right shoulder can cause osteoarthritis in the left shoulder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including residuals of traumatic brain injury, left shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral ankle condition, nephrolithiasis (due to herbicide exposure), bilateral knee osteoarthritis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, BLE sciatica, hypertension, and diverticulosis. The Veteran did not have these conditions at the time of service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder condition, head condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. However, his claim for a sternum condition was reopened and granted on the merits.,His application for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depression have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for hearing loss has been granted.