Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for libido disorder and PTSD were also denied.,There was no evidence of a verified stressor event for the Veteran's PTSD claim.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee joint pain, right knee joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, and right shoulder joint pain. Service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, left knee condition, and right eye condition due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete military records. The effective date for the award of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted as December 17, 2018.

The Veteran's right hand condition is related to his duties as a rifle rotating demonstrator in the service, and he has been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to his duties as part of the silent drill platoon where he was required to use a lot of his upper body for rifle maneuvers. A VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran maintains that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, which is related to his military service or physical health problems. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran contends that he is entitled to a higher rating than the currently assigned noncompensable rating for limitation of extension of his right elbow condition (right lateral epicondylitis with tricep tendinitis). A retrospective VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow bursitis, a left shoulder disability, and a back disability due to lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran's assertions are not supported by medical evidence. The current symptoms do not appear to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to duty to assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran contends his shoulders were caused by physical training over a period of service, but VA did not obtain an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition claim is dismissed as the AOJ did not readjudicate it.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of sciatica, right carpal tunnel syndrome, or left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left wrist sprain and left shoulder strain are both rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in these ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder strain is also granted as service-connected. However, the bilateral ankle disability and left thumb disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected right wrist disability due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions and new evidence of compensatory use.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a left wrist disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's memory loss and lack of concentration are not related to service, as there is no evidence of an in-service event or continuous symptomatology since service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's GERD with nausea to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence to support a final decision. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of her current left shoulder disability.