Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear was diagnosed during active duty service and is granted as service connected. The other claims for orthopedic wrist, hand, shoulder, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the 2022 calendar year is granted because he uses prescribed topical medications to treat his service-connected acne, which causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disability was dismissed as untimely.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for tendinitis of hands, left shoulder status post repair of labral tear, degenerative disc disease of thoracic and lumbar spine, and right ankle strain. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his conditions are related to military service, but VA medical opinions were inadequate in addressing these assertions.,The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder status post repair of labral tear and right ankle strain. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his conditions are related to military service, but VA medical opinions were inadequate in addressing these assertions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral foot disability as secondary to the back disability, effective from March 25, 2019. Service connection was denied for a skin disability and right shoulder condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left shoulder disability, finding that it resulted from an in-service injury and is not related to any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, which includes instability and degenerative arthritis, was denied. The current 20 percent rating is upheld as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied all claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is April 11, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for service connection of various conditions, including vertigo. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for fractured ribs has been denied, and her claim for a higher rating for right shoulder disability is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's GERD has been aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are not found to be related to service.

An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, for a back disability effective September 2, 2018 is granted.,An initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthropathy was also denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the rating decision, and good cause for an extension was not shown.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2020 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions leave her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected alcohol use disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a right shoulder injury or chronic problems during service and no causal link to service. The Veteran's claim is based on his assertion that the condition began after service while he was in the gym.

The Board has granted service connection for a c-section scar due to pregnancy surgical complications, finding that the current disability is related to service. The other conditions (left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, hemorrhage residuals, IBS, and right ankle sprain) were denied as not being related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion, requiring a new examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service.