Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular separation is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to limited motion of the arm.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate examination report prior to the September 2018 statement of the case. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated based on its functional loss during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and skin cancer disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left ankle strain, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain as these conditions have been continuously present since the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 12, 2020 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The Board found that no portion of the increase in his service-connected disabilities occurred within one year prior to the date of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran has been denied service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to March 16, 2021.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for earlier effective dates and higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, traumatic brain injury (TBI), type II diabetes mellitus, and a right shoulder disability. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, ankle, foot, and neurological disorders as well as a psychiatric disorder and high blood pressure. The evidence does not show current disabilities of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition, including his diagnosed right shoulder joint dislocation. The Veteran served in active duty from February 1966 to January 1970.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the hearing, leaving no issues for appellate consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which includes the issues of bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder dislocation, bursitis, and tendinosis has been dismissed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his left hip disability (limitation of extension) and left knee disability are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 due to service-connected disabilities. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to February 1, 2015 is denied as the Veteran does not have a total disability rating during that period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability due to combat service.

Service connection for left shoulder calcific tendonitis is granted. Effective November 21, 2017, the Veteran receives a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip impairment (status post arthroscopic surgery), left hip limitation of flexion, and scars of the right hip are also granted.