Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of frostbite in the left ear, and residuals of frostbite in the right ear. However, these claims are still being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including private medical records and a statement from her primary care physician. The Veteran's service connection claims are related to her duties as a cargo handler in the Air Force Reserve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a back condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left leg, right leg, right shoulder, and back disabilities, all of which are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left shoulder surgical scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Codes 7802, 7801, or 7805.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disability. The decision on the right shoulder disability is that it was not incurred in or related to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder strain are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficient to warrant special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability is denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions as well as bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with etiology opinions. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is a direct result of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck disabilities are remanded. Additionally, the temporary total rating for right shoulder surgery and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal to restore the separate 20 percent rating for left shoulder instability, effective July 1, 2021, is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, left drop foot, and right drop foot due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left elbow, right elbow, and a right elbow nerve condition due to insufficient evidence addressing potential theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left shoulder, upper extremity neuropathy, flail elbow, and limited motion in the arm were denied. The current disability ratings are insufficient to meet the Veteran's claims.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, and PFB has been dismissed as the Appellant withdrew these claims.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder that was etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's glaucoma is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issues of increased ratings for gout and hypertension, and service connection for a back disability and OSA are remanded.