Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected left shoulder disorder, meeting the criteria for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and left knee due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, right hip disability (iliopsoas tendinitis, strain, and trochanteric pain syndrome), left hip disability (strain and trochanteric pain syndrome), migraine headache disability, and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis.,The Board has also granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine disability and OSA secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the decision-making process for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder conditions. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as she did not have a diagnosis of PTSD at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder pain and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset and relationship to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the periods from September 15, 2014 to January 6, 2016 and from January 16, 2018 to February 26, 2020.

The Veteran's left shoulder subacromial impingement syndrome was previously rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 30 percent is granted starting from October 4, 2019. The Veteran also received a separate 30 percent rating for his left upper extremity scapularis neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left upper and middle trunk brachial plexus injury and left shoulder impingement are being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for consideration of this additional information.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 23, 2019, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's left shoulder disability to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to ensure compliance with prior remand directives and VA's duty to assist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between her conditions and service. The claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been improperly adjudicated due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records and Social Security disability records. The case is being remanded to correct this error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, rated as 100 percent disabling, did not cause an impairment in her ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board denied VR&E services due to the Veteran's current employability and lack of demonstrated employment handicap.

The Board has found that there were errors in the decision-making process and remands the case for proper notice to be provided, as well as a review of the evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an omission of discussion regarding the Veteran's assertion that his disabilities were caused by a fall.

Service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee replacements, as well as any diagnosed right shoulder disability. The other issues remain denied due to lack of service connection.