Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for right arm radial nerve neuropathy and thoracic outlet syndrome with acromioclavicular arthritis in your right shoulder from their current levels to non-compensable effective April 1, 2020 was proper. The decision also states that restoration of these ratings is denied.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the VA examiner's opinion did not address inconsistencies in the autopsy report. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a left shoulder strain, and a cervical strain with an effective date of March 4, 2019. The decision finds that the Veteran's initial claims were filed on the incorrect form but can be reasonably construed as an intent to file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including left elbow, right elbow, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disorders. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disorder, TMJ disorder, and residuals scar from basal cell carcinoma removal due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluation of osteoarthritis, both knees; service connection for right shoulder condition; and service connection for low back strain are remanded due to missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is not service-connected, as the VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability and opined that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury.,Service connection for midthoracic spine spondylosis has been granted due to continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently under consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the January 2020 rating decision on appeal. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct further examinations for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, status post open Bankart procedure (major) is granted a 40 percent evaluation for the period between April 10, 2019, to December 1, 2020. For the period from December 2, 2020, to the present, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy impacting the upper radicular group as secondary to treatment for malignant throat cancer. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition and a left shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the right shoulder disability and a higher initial rating was denied.,An earlier effective date for the bilateral knee disability is also denied.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder condition due to new and relevant evidence received since previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for intermittent stomach ulcers, are dismissed due to prior Board decisions.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder claims are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance to keep him ordinarily clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC A&A.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder glenohumeral joint instability was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, and right foot degenerative arthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Appellant's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected conditions, including right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, tension headaches, and cyclothymic disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance regarding the onset of his current condition during or being related to service.