Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, but has remanded them due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder surgical scars have been rated as noncompensable and 10 percent, respectively. The Board denied both claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including acromioclavicular joint separation, bicipital tendonitis, and rotator cuff tendonitis, is now rated at 40 percent effective November 17, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Other service connection claims were denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and diabetes due to new and relevant evidence. The left shoulder disability claim is denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 25, 2016 for the award of service connection for bilateral shoulder strain. The Veteran's claim was continuously pursued since her initial filing on that date.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to joint pain of the low back strain, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and left ankle strain is granted a 50 percent initial rating, but no greater.

The Veteran's left thumb carpometacarpal arthritis is granted as service-connected. The right wrist disability and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for acid reflux was dismissed. The Board remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition, a lower back condition, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, secondary to the lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to a failure to comply with an October 2019 Board decision regarding transfer of paper records into VBMS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current shoulder conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and denied a compensable rating for his bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis toenails.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment from at least August 1, 2014, and the Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's left shoulder scars are rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed right hand and shoulder disabilities, which may be related to his service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder conditions as secondary to a service-connected neck condition. The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from May 24, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, right wrist and left wrist disabilities, right hand and left hand disabilities, cervical spine disability, and spinal meningitis. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that medical clarification is required regarding whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.