Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, and allergic rhinitis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran with examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disorders. The earlier effective dates for various conditions have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several cases involving service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as sleep apnea and inguinal hernia. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder condition and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including knee and shoulder conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to assess the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to tend to basic functions of self-care and required the regular aid and attendance of another individual, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is moot due to the inclusion of this benefit.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding that symptoms of these conditions have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates are being dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing their appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple cervical spine disabilities, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder strain residuals are being remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 50% rating as of July 24, 2018. The remaining issues on appeal (left shoulder condition, right shoulder labral tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right knee condition, muscle strain of the bilateral arms, thighs, and calves, reactive airway disease with asthma, and IBS) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for left foot toenail disability, right foot toenail disability, left foot fungus disability, and right foot fungus disability were all granted. The Board determined that the evidence supported an in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The appeal of an entitlement to service connection for vision defect is dismissed.,The appeals of the earlier effective date and increased rating for RUE radiculopathy with cubital tunnel syndrome are dismissed.,The appeals of the right leg weakness and right shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD status post MI and PCI with stent placement, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on needing aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, neck disability, right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and high blood pressure have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability for each condition.,There was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 50% disability rating. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot, hip, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or caused by his honorable period of service.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability are all denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that these conditions began during active service.

Service connection is granted for a musculoskeletal foot disability other than pes planus, including metatarsalgia with metatarsal phalangeal arthritis, hallux valgus, calcaneal spurs, and multiple metatarsus adductus.,Service connection is denied for pes planus. Secondary service connection for neuropathic pain of the bilateral feet is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, back condition, neck condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is also denied for a bilateral hand condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, low back, and left foot conditions have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are pending and need further review.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicides, but denied service connection for skeletal arthritis involving the bilateral shoulders, knees and back, as well as right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of erectile dysfunction.