Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities is granted from October 1, 2021.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck condition, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder condition, requires further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's initial rating for herpes simplex virus and a right groin scar were upheld, but the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and right knee condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied in part, with the right shoulder osteoarthritis and instability issues receiving favorable decisions while left shoulder labral tear and dislocation issues were not.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and represents a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis, needs to be reassessed by a VA clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a left shoulder condition have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his GERD began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. For the left shoulder condition, the Board accepted the Veteran's reports of a combat-related injury but did not provide a VA examination as required by law.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits were denied. The appeal as to whether he submitted a valid claim of service connection for residuals of a TBI, right shoulder disability, and penile disability was dismissed due to untimeliness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC based on aid and attendance or statutory housebound status due to a right shoulder condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

Service connection is granted for left-elbow, left-knee, and left-shoulder conditions.,Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports and the need for an adequate etiological opinion. The examiner should assess whether the Veteran's symptoms indicate an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI related to his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a need for additional development and medical opinions. The right shoulder condition, pes planus, and heel pain are all under review.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear has been rated at 10 percent prior to May 23, 2016, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss but no limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level.,The Veteran's umbilical hernia repair has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent). The evidence does not support a finding that her condition meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. The issues of TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability.

The Veteran's right hand calluses are denied as there is no evidence of chronicity of care for his right hand friction burn, and the VA opinions found that it is less likely than not that the current right hand calluses were caused by service. The left ear hearing loss is also denied as the auditory thresholds in both ears did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's neck condition, memory loss due to traumatic brain injury, ulnar nerve condition, left hand and right hand nerve conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral flat feet and bunions, bilateral hallux valgus/bunions, and bilateral hammer toes are all remanded as further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the current record, particularly regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The case will be returned for further development and an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.