Shoulder Board decisions

The Board granted a 50 percent initial rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, mild and generalized anxiety disorder but denied higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and left shoulder disability.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed, and the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, back injury, cervical strain, hypothyroidism, visual impairment of the right eye, visual impairment of the left eye, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were remanded.

The Board restored service connection for squamous cell carcinoma right inferior lip and squamous cell cancer of the left shoulder and left hand with basal cell carcinoma of the right upper arm, as well as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding it at least as likely as not related to in-service workouts.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, while remanding the other issues.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left foot, right foot, right index finger, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as fatigue claimed under the PACT Act, due to a need for in-person VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as PTSD. The claims for a left shoulder disability, left hip disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, headaches, facial scars from pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injury, identified as disability of the left side of the neck, the left shoulder, and the left hip, to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment and required regular aid and attendance to perform activities of daily living, effective February 22, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board granted service connection and increased ratings for multiple conditions, including thoracolumbar spine spondylosis with disc herniation, right ankle fracture residuals, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left ankle strain, left shoulder bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear with arthritis status post-surgery and chronic post-procedural pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 11, 2024, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The claims for a compensable rating for costochondritis, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a left shoulder condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology, including whether it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis status post acromioplasty or due to in-service treatment for left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected neck disability.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety and depression, right shoulder strain, right knee pain, neck pain, hearing loss disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus disorder, right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder, right toenail paronychia, and headaches.

The Board remands the claim for a new examination to address the Veteran's contentions and ensure an adequate assessment of his right shoulder disability.

The Board granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability as the evidence did not support that it was incurred in or caused by active military service.