Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety disorder), and a left shoulder disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been granted, but the appeal for increased ratings for his right upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder disability is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision on appeal is flawed due to a lack of adequate examination and opinion addressing all theories of entitlement, including possible secondary service connection for lumbar spondylolysis with intervertebral disc syndrome. The case is therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities from April 1, 2019, to May 5, 2021.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The case is also remanded to consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 100% disabling starting May 20, 2021 and considered permanent. However, her other service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability prior to that date, thus denying an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle conditions due to unclear dates of active duty.

The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and denied the restoration of the 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis effective March 23, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted a 20% rating, and service connection for his back disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but remanded the right shoulder disability claim due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection has been granted for sinusitis, head injury (traumatic brain injury), neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's conditions are all found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Service connection was denied for athletes foot, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and tendinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and a need for VA TERA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected right shoulder disability as it has been fully addressed in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder strain is granted. However, the claim for service connection for somatization disorder (insomnia) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of housebound status is moot as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment prior to April 24, 2020.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,An initial 30 percent rating is granted for left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.