Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service despite evidence of a documented injury in service. The Board's opinion was based on an April 2023 VA clinician's opinion which concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability had its onset or etiology in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder has been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for IBS was denied prior to February 28, 2018, but a petition to reopen this claim was granted in December 2018. The effective date of service connection for IBS is not earlier than February 28, 2018.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is reopened and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to drug use during service. The back disorder, GERD, trigger fingers in both hands, right shoulder disorder, hyperlipidemia, and respiratory disorder (likely COPD) claims are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of injury to the jaw and mouth, including a dental disorder, is reopened and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (likely referring to PTSD), hypertension, and right shoulder disorder claims are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder and left elbow disabilities, finding them related to service. However, service connection was denied for sinusitis with headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, Raynaud's disease, and fibromyalgia due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between her current conditions and her military service.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for low back disability, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and left arm neuropathy. The heart disability, GERD, and sleep apnea claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.,Service connection for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), left knee osteoarthritis with osteophyte formation, right knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes, and right hip strain with limitation of extension are all denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected right-hand crush injury, finding that the disability is proximately due to or the result of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cluster headaches and knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent or 10 percent ratings assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection for sinusitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter (burn pits) during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for right shoulder calcific tendinitis and initial disability ratings for his right knee conditions have been denied. The right shoulder is rated at 30 percent, while the right knee has been granted a 10 percent rating from February 28, 1985; a 20 percent rating from March 27, 1987 (excluding a period of temporary total rating); and a 30 percent rating since April 23, 2007.

The Veteran's claimed foot, knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service. The headaches also lack a service connection due to the absence of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for chronic dislocation of the right shoulder was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating for this disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder due to his withdrawal request. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back, neck, and right shoulder disorders have been remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of the claim. However, both issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and a neck disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include anxiety, depression, a low back disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA, left shoulder and low back disabilities are related to his service. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.