Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and compliance with Board remand instructions.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition, and sleep apnea were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stress related disorder) secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. Claims for service connection for eczema, cyst, and left eye disorder were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the cervical spine and right shoulder strain due to inadequate medical examinations. The Veteran is required to be re-examined to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to have their effective date changed from prior to May 20, 2013, for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and left shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a higher rating for left shoulder rotator cuff disability, finding no evidence of direct service connection or any other basis for granting the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder tenosynovitis, and left knee/tenosynovitis disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, including impingement and rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of injury to the left shoulder during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the deferred issue regarding an increased rating for a right shoulder labral tear. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for PTSD, back disability, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's initial higher rating of 20 percent for residuals of a right foot fifth metatarsal fracture is granted. The appeal for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his right shoulder labral tear is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA medical treatment records received after the initial decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for prurigo nodularis as secondary to PTSD. The cases of hypertension, left shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar disorder, and a skin disorder other than the service-connected prurigo nodularis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remanded for further evaluations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a chronic joint pain condition of the hands, feet, ankles, shoulders, and knees, bilaterally. The Veteran's current complaints were not shown to be related to his active duty.,There is no objective evidence indicating an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) for joint pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical records and inconsistencies in diagnoses.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability and a low back disability. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and need for additional medical records. The issues of increased ratings, service connection, and other claims are now before the VA again.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder tender scars, surgical scars on the right shoulder, and an effective date earlier than June 28, 2018, for service connection. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess the severity of his disabilities, and giving him the opportunity to provide any additional evidence.