Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for onychomycosis of the right toenails was granted. The claims for left knee and right shoulder disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service or related to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, and the VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities are more likely due to normal aging.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right hip bursitis and left shoulder subluxation injury with bursitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10% and 20% disability ratings, respectively.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for various wrist, shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic rhinitis under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and hip conditions due to insufficient development of the record. The Veteran needs to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all private medical treatment he receives, including from 'Choice Aquatic Therapy'.

The Board has vacated the August 2022 decision and remanded three issues: service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, service connection for lumbosacral spine condition, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including strain, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis, did not have its onset during active service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder condition arose during his service, specifically while on Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in 2011. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed from the Veteran's federal disability retirement and VA treatment providers to properly adjudicate his claims. The cases are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, shoulder, hand, arm, and psychiatric conditions. The decision concluded that the injuries sustained in a 2004 motor vehicle accident were not incurred in the line of duty due to the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis of the heart, finding that there is no link between the current condition and the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence, including service connection for various conditions secondary to existing disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of right shoulder AC joint separation and neck disorder, as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examinations conducted in July 2018 and November 2019 are insufficient, and a new examination is required. Additionally, an opinion on the etiology of any neck disorder and whether it is caused by or resulted from the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability and service connection for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as left and right shoulder disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's COPD, claimed as shortness of breath, is granted service connection.,Service connection for arthritis of the joints (other than bilateral knees, shoulders, and spine) is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.