Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any right shoulder disorder is related to service, including multiple parachute jumps.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The breathing disability issue is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, right knee status post ACL tear repair disorder, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no persuasive weight of the evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder DJD and depression did not render him unemployable prior to June 4, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ear disorder (dizziness, vertigo), bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed right shoulder disability separate from her already service-connected fibromyalgia, and her anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disorders due to a missed VA examination. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and for increased ratings and TDIU based on his thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine spondylosis and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation due to outstanding VA treatment records, private healthcare provider records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder based on a finding that these conditions began in service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. A VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right thumb condition, left groin condition, residuals of left inguinal hernia repair, pes planus, and right shoulder condition were denied. The denial was based on the absence of current diagnoses or evidence of aggravation by active service.

The Veteran's tension headaches and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral shin splints, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist and forearm disability, right wrist disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn. The claims of increased rating for left shoulder disability, recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, and left ankle sprain were denied. Service connection for asthma, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder), prostate cancer, and emphysema were all denied.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right shoulders has been granted. The Veteran also received a 20 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral pes cavus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

An effective date of November 13, 2019, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted.,An effective date prior to November 13, 2019, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for tension headaches is denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, depression, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbago, right shoulder arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various disabilities, and additional medical opinions are needed to address the correct legal standards. The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being REMANDED.