Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the neck, shoulders, lower back, elbows, wrists, hands, knees, ankles, and feet is granted as her current diagnosis aligns with her symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's asthma and right shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during military service, with the PACT Act providing presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection of a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's service records do not show any right shoulder injury during service, but he reports that his current condition may be related to an incident in service. Further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded to determine if it is secondary to his right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, diabetes mellitus, an eye disability, acid reflux, rectal bleeding, gout, herpes simplex 2, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability. The cervical spine issue is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his service-connected left ankle disability or service, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability (left shoulder DJD) and denied service connection for hemorrhoids. The decision on the left shoulder disability is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service, including an injury in service and overuse of his dominant right side to protect his injured right shoulder.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, left elbow epicondylitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right wrist tendosynovitis. Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction (ED) was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the possibility that the condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee scar is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for presbyopia is denied as refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The decision on service connection for left knee disability and left knee scar remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis in the bilateral fingers, other than right little finger and for an undiagnosed illness (claimed as fatigue). Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders. The Veteran's claims were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, skin disease, dental disability, hepatitis B, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, microscopic hematuria, GERD, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia residuals are currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the lack of current diagnosis and evidence of hearing impairment for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection for Meniere's disease is remanded due to the need for further examination.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claims of service connection for his left ankle, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his left hand sprain and lumbar spine disabilities, as he withdrew these appeals. The remaining issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied, and the Board granted TDIU based on her service-connected shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The claims for service connection of left shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities have been reopened. The claim for PTSD has not been reopened. Service connection was denied for spondylolisthesis and prostate cancer.