Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for aid and attendance as he required care or assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and protect him from hazards or dangers inherent in his daily environment. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is dismissed. The Board has granted readjudication and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 19, 2019, for service connection of his left shoulder torn rotator cuff.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with cervical strain status post (s/p) cervical fusion, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tear was denied.,A 20 percent rating for IVDS with cervical strain s/p cervical fusion is granted effective September 26, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition due to lack of evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms at any time during the pendency of the claim.

Service connection for PFB is granted. Service connection for dizziness, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), left foot disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability), right foot disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and left shoulder disability (secondary to PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied as there was no prior intent to file such a claim.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff disability is also denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and right shoulder strain with sternal clavicular malunion. Service connection for right knee strain is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) effective from May 28, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining complete medical records and a PACT Act opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's left shoulder condition, specifically during flare-ups and repeated use over time. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records and a new VA medical examination is required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right shoulder condition, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic sternum pain and left shoulder pain are granted service connection.,The Veteran's claims for a chronic respiratory disability, right index finger disability, and skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Service connection for an unspecified adjustment disorder was granted, but the claims for left foot, right foot, right ankle, and low back disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, shoulder, and hip disabilities contributed to his weight gain/obesity, which then led to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus, have caused him to need regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at rates based on loss of use of both hands and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding all service connection claims due to inadequate examinations and opinions, including those for heart condition, hypertension, bilateral foot condition, ankle conditions, elbow conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, wrist condition, shoulder conditions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 29, 2022, for service-connected right shoulder strain and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis was denied as he did not submit a timely claim within one year of his separation from service.