Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the intermediate rate was granted, with two half-steps awarded due to service-connected depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is already entitled to a full step (SMC-L) based on his need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for recurrent left shoulder dislocation is denied as his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by service.,Service connection was also granted for PTSD, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and sleep apnea syndrome have been denied. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for alcoholism and a traumatic brain injury were dismissed because the VA Form 10182 was not filed within the required time frame.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a right shoulder injury has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a medical opinion regarding whether his left shoulder disability was caused by in-service duties, including lifting heavy equipment and tools, and if it is aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder AC joint strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder shrapnel wound scar is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and increased disability ratings for right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, lumbar strain with DDD and arthritis, and head injury are remanded.

The Board denied the claim for payment of non-VA medical expenses as there was no indication of prior authorization and the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care. The Veteran is not service-connected for any disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical, thoracic spine, bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot conditions, as well as headaches and an eye condition due to incomplete information regarding the Appellant's service periods and lack of verification of relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for the left shoulder scars disability as secondary to a service-connected condition (left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis). The Veteran's current left shoulder scars were not found to be related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly scoliosis.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right shoulder fracture with degenerative joint disease, which is more than the current 20 percent rating. The decision also notes that this raises the combined evaluation for both shoulders to 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, right arm/shoulder disability, and headache (including tension and migraine) are being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus, cervical spine condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, left knee condition, left shin condition, and ankle conditions are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service treatment records. The Veteran's conditions include bilateral hearing loss, head injury, left and right knee conditions, left and right foot conditions, and left and right shoulder conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition, lower back condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not meet the minimum requirements to trigger VA's duty to assist in these cases.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a right shoulder disorder, an earlier effective date for tinnitus, and individual unemployability have been dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder and left wrist disabilities, which he used NSAIDs to manage.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition are being remanded.