Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected left knee strain, requires further examination and consideration. The claim will be remanded for a VA examination and additional notice.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU has been granted with effective dates of August 8, 2016, and May 8, 2017 respectively.,PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment since the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The claims for diabetes, lumbar disc disease, right shoulder arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee pain, left shoulder pain, lower back pain, and right knee pain on the basis that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral hip, and right big toe conditions as these disabilities are found to be etiologically related to his active-duty service.

The rating for the Veteran's right shoulder humerus impairment was reduced from 30% to 20%, effective February 9, 2022. The Board found that this reduction was proper based on improvements in symptoms shown by recent VA examinations.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as PTSD), tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and ankle/sleeve strains. The Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to March 16, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and right carpal tunnel syndrome have resulted in a disability equivalent to the functional loss of use of the right hand, qualifying him for SMC based on loss of use.,An earlier effective date of September 18, 2017 is granted for both SMC based on aid and attendance and additional SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot and knee conditions due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed right and left shoulder conditions as there is no probative medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for recurrent dislocation, right shoulder (major) with residual arthritis and scar, left shoulder s/p surgical repair was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder strain due to insufficient medical evidence, requiring a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's service dates and type of service, specifically from his Air Force Reserves and Army National Guard.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and sleep apnea to obtain further evidence and opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, bilateral shoulder, right hip, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate notification of scheduled VA examinations and failure to obtain all relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including private treatment records and lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and ischemic heart disease due to his failure to report to scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.