Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain and right shoulder arthralgia are not rated higher than the current 10 percent levels.,The initial ratings for right and left shin splints have been granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms warrant a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses for his claimed disabilities, including pain with functional impairment. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for these additional evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinea unguium, actinic keratosis, and left calf pigmented nevus, have been rated as non-compensable. The three painful left shoulder surgical scars, left ankle achilles tendinitis, and right ankle achilles tendinitis are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis, right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis, hypertension, and right shoulder condition have all been granted.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for bilateral tinnitus, left shoulder injury, right knee condition, and left knee ACL injury. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as his death occurred during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's sinus disability and allergic rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,An initial rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis has been granted, with the condition being currently present.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and remanded the issue of service connection for right shoulder strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the duty to assist and remands several service connection claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure by the RO to reschedule VA examinations and provide appropriate assistance in developing his claim while he was on active duty.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obesity, hypertension, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and headache due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities were incurred during service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for retrospective opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected shoulder degenerative arthritis, back condition, and knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is related to service. The claim will be returned for further investigation and medical opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder DJD with rotator cuff strain, LOM, DM, and HTN. The Veteran's conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence related to his hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, gastrointestinal disorder, foot disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the RUE and LUE, and a right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is no diagnosis of hearing loss or radiculopathy in the Veteran's records.