Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral IVDS, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for arthralgias, multiple sites, right shoulder joint pain, and left shoulder joint pain as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support these claims.,Service connection for sleep apnea and urticaria have been remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for vertigo and dizziness has been withdrawn. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, memory impairment related to TBI, arthralgia (left shoulder), arthralgia (right shoulder), bilateral eye disability, and sinusitis. The case of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

An earlier effective date of August 11, 2014, is granted for the 30 percent rating assigned for right carpal tunnel syndrome.,An earlier effective date of August 20, 2013, is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for right shoulder tendonitis.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 11, 2014, to October 16, 2020, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, dental trauma upper front teeth, residuals of a broken nose, low back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed from Social Security Administration, and VA examinations are required for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), and left knee disorder have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for a sleep disorder due to the lack of evidence showing it during or within one year after separation from service. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking any current sleep disorder to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition during service and no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder ankylosis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average hearing acuity of Level I in both ears.,For the period prior to September 22, 2022, the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right shoulder was not productive of limitation of motion or other impairment. After that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling and above 40 percent thereafter.,The left wrist disorder did not manifest during service, is not otherwise etiologically related to service, arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge, and is not caused by the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis. The acquired psychiatric disorder (Persistent Depressive Disorder) was also found not to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder alone is preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU.,The Veteran has been found to be permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip, shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical evidence or clarification of the disability ratings.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's painful right inguinal hernia repair scar. The remaining issues, including entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative disc disease, femoral radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and sciatic radiculopathy. The remand requests additional examinations to address functional impairment due to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and is granted.,The Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder related to his in-service stressor. A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of right shoulder degenerative joint disease and TDIU due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection and rating for chest pain, hearing loss, left shoulder pain, major depressive disorder, left ankle pain, left hip pain, left knee pain, right ankle pain, right hip pain, and a compensable rating for dry eye syndrome.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been completed and another remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion concerning the Veteran's right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is now pending again with additional development required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right shoulder, and anxiety conditions are granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The cases of lower extremity radiculopathy and tailbone injury are also remanded.