Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and migraine headaches due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to address whether the Veteran's pre-existing conditions worsened during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right ankle, and bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will obtain examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include variously claimed ankle, hip, shoulder, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and a back disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities within close proximity to the filing of his claims.,There are no treatment records documenting any symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions after service. The Veteran did not report any such symptoms prior to the December 2020 rating decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for left shoulder disorder and neck disorder are REMANDED due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bursitis, and residuals of arthroscopic labral and rotator cuff repair. The decision is based on direct service connection due to onset during service.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 was granted a 30% rating. Service connection for hypertension, major depressive disorder, right shoulder disorder (painful limitation of motion), and hearing loss in the right ear were all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hip, right knee (secondary to lower back condition), left knee, left shoulder, right hip, and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed in a September 2020 rating decision, which granted the requested effective dates.,The Veteran was granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression associated with GERD with H. Pylori status post laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with residual bloating, flatulence, and inability to vomit, to include IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted due to continuous pursuit of the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, back, right ankle sprain, right hip, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 6, 2013, for the awards of service connection for left shoulder strain and left knee patellofemoral syndrome status/post meniscectomy have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain and 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome status/post meniscectomy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA), as he does not have a permanent and total disability that is due to loss of use of one or more extremities, blindness in both eyes with limited visual acuity, or full thickness burns resulting in contractures. The claims are therefore denied.

Your appeal for service connection of a left shoulder condition has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to the decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, diagnosed as right shoulder impingement, is service-connected. The evidence shows a current diagnosis and in-service occurrence of symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his left shoulder disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 1, 2020, and restoring it back to 40 percent has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. Service connection was denied for right shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder impairment other than tendonitis, and left shoulder impairment.