Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for low back, left shoulder, and headache disabilities due to a lack of documentation in the service treatment records (STRs) and no current diagnosis. The Veteran contends that he was treated for these conditions during service and currently suffers from them.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure during service in Thailand. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy are denied.,The Veteran was granted presumptive service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II under the PACT Act. The claims for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, right knee ACL tear and meniscus degenerative changes, depression, lumbar spine degenerative changes with lordosis, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint impingement with mild tendinopathy remain denied.

Your claim for service connection for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder has been resolved in your favor with a grant of benefits effective November 21, 2019. As all requested benefits have already been granted, this appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to CUE in multiple rating decisions. The Board finds that the RO did not address all theories of CUE, specifically regarding receipt of new and relevant service department records submitted by the Veteran in 2018.

The Veteran's hip and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for additional evaluations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a menstrual disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, specifically whether it is related to his in-service hand crush injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes, back condition, and bilateral shoulder condition. The decision is based on the evidence showing a history of elevated blood pressure during service that eventually led to hypertension.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a TDIU prior to July 2, 2017. The Board dismissed the issue as it was explicitly and unambiguously made by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability may be related to service or a pre-existing condition, and thus remands for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are not about service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, infertility, GERD, a right shoulder condition, a hip condition, a headache condition, and chronic sinusitis have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his left knee condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for right hand impairment, left knee impairment, and left shoulder impairment. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot, hip, and right shoulder DJD. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of symptoms since separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty service.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Increased ratings are granted for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and vertebral fracture with bilateral thoracic radiculopathy of the ventral and dorsal ramus nerves, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left ankle pilon fracture residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now considered. The Board has also remanded several other issues due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating issues due to insufficient medical records. The case is also remanded for an addendum opinion on PTSD, a headache disability evaluation, and VA examinations for lumbosacral strain, DDD, Schamberg's disease, and hypertension.