Shoulder Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral knees, bilateral elbows, and bilateral shoulders to obtain new VA medical opinions that adequately address whether these conditions are related to military service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's dysfunctional right shoulder prior to February 14, 2022.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for RUE neuropathy with cubital tunnel syndrome of the right hand from September 20, 2023, to November 3, 2023, and status-post arthroscopy, with right shoulder labral repair. However, a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for RUE neuropathy with cubital tunnel syndrome of the right hand between September 1, 2020, and April 27, 2021, was granted.

The appeals for initial ratings in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for migraines, including migraine variants, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU rating on an accrued basis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is causally related to his active-duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and right ear sensorineural hearing loss. The claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The right shoulder claim was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The appeal for service connection for headaches was denied, while the claims for ED, left elbow, left wrist, right hand, and right shoulder disorders were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have persisted.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, left shoulder strain with impingement syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, entitling him to special monthly compensation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, lower back pain, and teeth grinding due to insufficient documentation of military service and the need for additional medical examinations.

The appeal for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, limited flexion of the forearm (elbow condition left), impairment of elbow or flail joint (elbow condition right), limitation of motion of the arm (shoulder condition left), and chronic adjustment disorder (depression) was dismissed due to untimely filing of a Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left elbow and lower extremity nerve conditions, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for rhinitis was granted, while claims for sinusitis, neck pain, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, chest pain, headaches with dizziness, right thigh and groin pain due to cramps, and right shoulder or arm pain were denied.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claim for idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) to include skin conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder and 10 percent for the right knee, granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee, and remanded several other claims including service connection for psychiatric disorders, hypertension, left knee disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied initial ratings higher than 20 percent for a left shoulder strain and higher than 10 percent for a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were remanded.