Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. For the period from September 29, 2019, the Veteran's psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's right-shoulder pain may have started during active duty, while his acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) may be related to in-service traumatic events.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, back, and left knee disabilities based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's athlete's foot and pityriasis versicolor were granted service connection. Service connection for chloracne, bilateral hearing loss, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder disability, heart disability, mycosis fungoides, and scars are denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, as VA did not obtain such an opinion in the original decision.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder disability were rated as appropriate based on the severity of their symptoms, but a higher rating was not granted due to lack of evidence supporting additional impairment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability and surgical scar, as well as temporary total evaluations related to his shoulder surgeries. The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty-to-assist obligations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as there was no valid Notice of Disagreement submitted in response to the October 2018 rating decision, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced due to the removal of his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. The Board found that he is no longer in receipt of a 100 percent rating for any single service-connected disability, thus denying his appeal to restore SMC.

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective August 2, 2018. The appeal seeking SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, neck, left wrist, right wrist, right knee, and right shoulder disorders. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of scarring, status post UPPP and palate operation, and right shoulder impingement syndrome. The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim before August 6, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims at this time.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (right and left), and right ankle disability have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disorders are also being remanded.