Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow and right shoulder disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained prior to the decision on appeal are inadequate, so another examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for determining if any additional left upper extremity disability was incurred as a result of the September 2017 VA left shoulder surgical procedure. The Veteran needs to be examined by a medical doctor to determine this.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee degenerative joint diseases due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for chronic rhinitis was denied. Service connection for her cervical spine and left shoulder conditions were granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and other conditions are denied. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder scars and rotator cuff condition have been restored to their previous ratings, with the scars receiving a 20% rating effective May 1, 2020. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, hypertension, vision disability (claimed as macular degeneration), residual(s) of a left shoulder sprain, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The Veteran submitted new and relevant evidence that tends to show a more complete picture of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied in August 2015, and the Board found no new and relevant evidence to support reopening of this claim. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his combined disability rating meeting the schedular criteria. Service connection for neck, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions are all denied.

The Board restored service connection for the seven claimed conditions, effective from July 1, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions began during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder degenerative joint disease and his TDIU claim have both been denied. For the left shoulder, the evidence does not support a higher than 20 percent rating due to limited motion of the arm. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at 20 percent prior to May 21, 2021 and from July 1, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Board did not make a determination on the merits of any claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not resolved in his favor, necessitating further examination and review.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and extension of a temporary total disability rating are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining a VA peripheral nerves examination.

The Veteran's rotator cuff tendonitis and left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease are currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 30 percent is granted for the right lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve branch since August 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, neck, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities due to insufficient reasons or bases in the previous decision. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, and knee disorders are not service-connected. The GI disorder is presumed to be due to Camp Lejeune exposure.,Further examination is needed for the shoulders, low back, knees, and GI issues.