Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities, and his conditions are not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the left shoulder disability and separate 10 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to May 2, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for the ankle and lumbar strain were denied.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a procedural deficiency.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. However, it denied service connection for a respiratory disability, an eye disability, and a gynecological disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches and service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and left arm radiculopathy disorders due to a failure to substantially comply with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right foot drop, and left foot drop due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records not being associated with the file. The Veteran's reports of pain in his shoulders and feet need to be considered during the new examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right thumb nerve damage, bilateral shoulder condition (rotator cuff), and low back injury - bruised tailbone as there is no persuasive evidence showing these conditions began in service or are causally related to any in-service events.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's pulmonary disorder (asthma and pulmonary diffusion defect) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development and examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his right knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as the effective date for the right shoulder increase, was granted. The SMC claim was also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical spine strain, right knee strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain as the evidence does not support a relationship to service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from August 17, 2016 to March 6, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right knee strain claim has been denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The left shoulder, SLAP tear, glenoid fracture, and osteochondral defect claim has been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for hepatic steatosis and a left shoulder disorder due to insufficient evidence. The kidney disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected myositis. His fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or his service-connected disabilities.