Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board denied an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that prior to August 13, 2021, there was insufficient evidence showing the Veteran's service-connected disabilities had rendered him permanently bedridden or housebound requiring regular aid and assistance of another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, anxiety, heart attack, torn rotator cuff, right shoulder, and ruptured achilles tendon, left foot. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right hand arthritis is granted service connection, while his left hand disability and left shoulder disability are denied. Service connection for nerve disabilities involving the upper extremities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) is also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral knee, hip, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his disability does not manifest in motion limited midway between side and shoulder or flexion and/or abduction limited to 45 degrees.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all issues due to the Veteran's passing during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left elbow, left shoulder, left arm, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ will consider additional evidence and obtain new medical opinions regarding the etiology of the right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, service connection for dizziness and lightheadedness (claimed as vertigo), and service connection for right shoulder disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral shoulder conditions and cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.,Service connection for lumbar spine arthritis is denied.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis is denied.,The claim of service connection for left shoulder arthritis has been withdrawn.

The appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed.,Service connection for mild tibiotalar osteoarthritis, left ankle is granted based on resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 11, 2018. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain were denied in January 2000. The Board granted service connection on May 2020 based on the presumption of chronic diseases within one year of separation from service. The AOJ continued the evaluations without addressing the CUE claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted in March 2023, and the matter is dismissed as it no longer meets the criteria for appeal. The claims for service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's chronic cough is related to service and granted.,The Veteran's right knee condition did not manifest during or within one year after service, and denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition was remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinion.,The Veteran's heart condition/stroke were remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of STRs and private treatment records. The VA examiner will be asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for chronic fatigue, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left hip disability due to potential exposure to burn pits during active duty in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not causally related to his service-connected disabilities, but may have been aggravated by them. The Board also found that obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. As such, the issue must be remanded for further evaluation.