Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for cold weather injury residuals of the bilateral hands is denied.,Compensable initial ratings for right and left shin splints are denied.,Service connection for residuals of an injury to the tailbone, neck disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, insomnia, and vertigo is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The remaining claims have been denied or are being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: back disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. Hypertension is currently under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability have been denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for increased ratings for a right shoulder disability, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and thus the appeal must be remanded again. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities are related to service, including in-service injuries. His bilateral upper extremity neuropathy may also be linked to his shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot conditions, as well as her left shoulder condition, are granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in balance for these conditions being related to active service.

The Veteran was denied clothing allowances in 2013, but testified at a hearing that he needed them for specific disabilities. The Board finds the matter remanded to issue an SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for a right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and stomach ulcer.

The Veteran's claim for reopening service connection for his left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, is being remanded due to the need for a hearing with a Decision Officer (DO).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied prior to July 26, 2023.,A 30 percent rating is granted effective from July 26, 2023, but the Veteran's request for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 3, 2018. The Board finds a need for additional medical evidence to determine if the disability warranted a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD warrant an increased rating beyond the current 40 percent assigned. A remand is required to assess the severity of his condition, including whether functional equivalent of ankylosis exists due to painful flare-ups.,A compensable initial rating for scars associated with back surgery and left shoulder surgery is needed as the Veteran reported painful flare-ups but no estimated loss of motion was provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's scar on his midline lumbar spine requires a remand to assess its severity, including whether it meets criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by limitation of motion with rotator cuff tendinitis and impingement syndrome, has not resulted in limited motion to midway between the side and shoulder level (45 degrees) in either flexion or abduction. As such, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has found a procedural error in docketing the Veteran's appeal and is remanding for issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. His CAD rating is restored to 60 percent effective November 1, 2016. The right and left shoulder disorders are remanded for further examination. Service connection for hearing loss in the left ear is denied. Service connection for stroke, balance disorder, and cognitive disorder (presumably due to TBI) remains on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected based on direct evidence linking them to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection. The RO is requested to obtain additional VA treatment records, resubmit a buddy statement from J.F., and provide addendum VA medical opinions on the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, hypertension, skin condition, sleep apnea, nosebleeds, right wrist condition, and left hip condition due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran contends that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that the most probative evidence shows the condition began during active service and has been continuous to the present.