Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development and evidence collection.

The Board has denied an increase in the disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for right arm, shoulder, and hand injuries due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee and left shoulder was denied as he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his supplemental claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eyelid skin lesion, squamous cell carcinoma of the left ear, and actinic keratosis of the head, face, shoulders, and neck have been granted.,These conditions are considered secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder bursitis, and right shoulder bursitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder tendonitis and left elbow bursitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion in either joint to the levels required for higher ratings.,For the period from August 27, 2020, a compensable rating (10 percent) was granted for limited extension of the left elbow bursitis.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for the lumbar spine, skin disease, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are dismissed.,The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for OSA is granted. Service connection for OSA is now established.,The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis is granted. Service connection for sinusitis is now established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including right and left foot disorders, bronchial asthma, knee, hip, shoulder, or neck DJD, or cervical spondylosis. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury, disease, or symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and arthritis of the hips, hands, shoulders, and cervical spine. The decision found that these conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise causally related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder replacement is granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective June 21, 2018. A compensable rating for his left shoulder scar is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for LLE radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to report for VA examinations and failure to provide prison medical records. The Veteran is required to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records, and he must be scheduled for VA examinations regarding his bilateral shoulder, foot, back, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including neurological disorders of the lower extremity, toe, shoulder, gastritis, and headaches. The additional periods of active duty from February 2012 to September 2017, February 2018 to July 2019, and October 2020 to September 2023 have not been adjudicated yet.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tear, finding that his symptoms began during service due to lifting.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and back conditions as well as PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions began during service and are at least as likely as not caused by in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to hypertension is denied. The claims for increased ratings of anxiety disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disorder, and right knee disorder are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, were denied effective June 21, 2018.,Claims for left hip strain (limitation of adduction, abduction and rotation) and limitation of flexion were granted effective May 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further review of the claims, including those related to effective dates.