Shoulder Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for left and right shoulder strains, left and right hip conditions, cervical strain, and secondary radiculopathies of the upper extremities. It denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right total knee arthroplasty, a compensable rating for right knee surgical scar under Diagnostic Code 7802, and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the appeal regarding the propriety of the award of agent fees to S.R., and remanded for a determination on the reasonableness of the fee amount.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for the right and left foot conditions, but denied increased ratings for the shoulder and ankle conditions.

The appeal of the September 2024 denial of service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability is dismissed as these claims are now moot due to subsequent grants of service connection. The initial rating for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) was denied, while an initial rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome due to an inadequate examination report.

The Board granted service connection for left wrist strain, right wrist strain, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition as secondary to service-connected lupus. Service connection was also granted for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as secondary to psoriasis.

The Veteran has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation due to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, but remanded several other claims including an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, prostate disability, COPD, coronary arteriosclerosis, femoral artery disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, dry eye condition, liver disease, toenail fungus, headaches, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder disability, right ankle achilles disability, right toe disability, bilateral flatfoot, and tinnitus.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle pain, chronic lower back pain, GERD, hair thinning/loss, IBS, and others, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including GERD, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, and multiple musculoskeletal and other conditions, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain due to the service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis and a 10 percent disability rating for narcolepsy, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and an initial rating in excess of the assigned ratings for PTSD with moderate alcohol use disorder, left shoulder strain with rotator cuff strain, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff strain.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the claims for bilateral ankle arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, cervical, bilateral plantar fasciitis with arthritis and heel spurs, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and neck disabilities due to a need for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a headache condition, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrences. The right shoulder disability claim was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, neck, and left knee and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on evidence that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.