Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder degenerative joint disease based on exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure due to service in Vietnam-era Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder strains are etiologically related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse, and left shoulder pain due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is currently incarcerated and VA examinations have not been conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain retrospective medical opinions and adjudicate additional issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The right shoulder condition is remanded for further development and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear status-post subacromial decompression and debridement. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active service and his continuous symptomatology since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed right shoulder disability, specifically whether it is related to service or his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, urticaria vasculitis, left shoulder disorder, and pinched nerve due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to determine if his right shoulder and left femur conditions are related to service, including any in-service exposures. The Veteran also contends that these conditions are secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his left knee scar. Additionally, he needs an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left ankle disorder and bilateral wrist pain.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to June 28, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, right shoulder, and low back conditions. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition was granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder condition. The AOJ is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion from an independent medical expert specializing in orthopedics.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and residuals of bunionectomies due to exposure to gas and diesel fuel during National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's claimed shoulder disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities during the period on appeal. The issues include increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder, right elbow limitation of flexion, right knee limited flexion, and left knee tendonitis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, insomnia, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability. The conditions are all related to the Veteran's military service.