Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, right elbow, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to the lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA and SSA records that may be relevant to his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain new examinations or opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an umbilical hernia, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the January 2019 and April 2019 rating decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal to restore his spouse and dependent children from his VA disability compensation award was dismissed as all dependents were restored or removed based on their eligibility for additional dependency compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and right shoulder disabilities are related to service, but additional medical examinations are needed to provide a clear opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, rotator cuff tear and tendonitis, is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder condition.,The Veteran's right knee disability, chondromalacia with osteoarthritis, is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, right hand disability, respiratory disability other than obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right shoulder disability was dismissed because the issue is already pending in another system.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for fatigue condition, back condition, right shoulder condition, right elbow condition, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and right axillary/circumflex nerve injury, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a duty to assist error in scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and residuals of rib fracture. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,The right testicular torsion claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective date is set at December 7, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and potential PACT Act exposure issues.

Effective dates of November 7, 2013, are granted for service connection of lumbar degenerative disc disease and right shoulder osteoarthritis. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve dysfunction is denied prior to May 26, 2017.