Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded both the service connection claim for a left shoulder and arm condition, as well as the SMC claim for aid and attendance. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chemical hypersensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as fatigue and soreness), residuals of a back injury (claimed as back injury between shoulder blades), skin disability (claimed as burning and stinging of skin), skin cancer(s), and sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic shin splints, left and right, as well as his left and right shoulder conditions, headaches, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (neck condition), radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to shin splints, shoulder conditions, headaches, cervical spine issues, or upper extremity radiculopathy. Post-service VA treatment records also failed to provide such findings.

The Veteran's temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to a right shoulder surgery from September 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015, is granted. The extension of this evaluation after October 31, 2015, is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and left knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted under the PACT Act, and his degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine rating is restored.,PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires restricted diet or insulin therapy from September 19, 2015, to July 7, 2017, and one daily injection of insulin thereafter.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity is granted an increased rating, but tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular evaluation.,PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires restricted diet or insulin therapy from September 19, 2015, to July 7, 2017, and one daily injection of insulin thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his right shoulder, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations related to his claimed disabilities, including bilateral feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, skin, frequent urination, migraines, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and Bell's palsy.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and an additional opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claim of right shoulder condition, as well as issues regarding the severity of his left shoulder condition and potential aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is dismissed as the RO granted service connection for a persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and an insomnia disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The evidence does not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or more, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports that his tinnitus had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as 'flat feet') is denied. The VA examiner found no clear and specific etiology of the condition, attributing it to a prolonged period without complaint after service.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and left hip condition are all denied. No evidence supports their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right hip condition are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for migraines, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing all pending issues on appeal before the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for severance of service connection for his right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as remanded the issues regarding his headache disability (secondary to TBI) and back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including shoulder, hip, ankle, and spine issues, are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has found the evidence inadequate to determine if the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are related to his active-duty service, requiring further examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and other conditions such as narcolepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, tension headaches, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, lower back strain, cervical neck strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, right 4th metacarpal fracture with scar, allergic rhinitis, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, right eye strabismus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 13, 2019.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed as the claim was fully granted in an October 2022 rating decision. The appeals for service connection for lesion of the scalp, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and right foot disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are not related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, elbow, knee, and little toe disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence.