Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also denied earlier effective dates and higher evaluations for several other conditions.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was dismissed, but the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a neck disorder and left shoulder disorder. The Board found that the VA examinations were inadequate because they relied solely on the absence of documentation in service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow lateral epicondylitis and strain, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain. The evidence did not show any in-service injuries or events related to these conditions.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain missing service treatment records.

Service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome is granted. An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder residual of reverse shoulder arthroplasty and a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and sleep disturbances. The VA will re-evaluate these conditions based on new evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right shoulder strain, keeping it at 20%. The decision was based on the range of motion and lack of flare-ups reported.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of right thumb sprain, left thumb sprain, and left shoulder condition. The Board found that medical opinions were inadequate and needed to address the veteran's theory of entitlement due to chemical exposure in Southwest Asia.

The veteran's service connection for arthritis in both shoulders was granted.

The Board remanded all issues to the VA for further evaluation and examinations. The Veteran's claims were not granted or denied at this time.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected disabilities and initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages. An increased rating of 20 percent was granted for the right ankle disability. Claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder and restoration of a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability. Other claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches were denied. An increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for right foot pes planus was granted prior to August 10, 2023, and denied on and after that date. Other issues related to ratings and effective dates were also denied or remanded.

The veteran's service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa was granted with an effective date of May 19, 2017. A 100% rating was assigned from May 19, 2017, to April 16, 2018. The veteran also received a 40% rating for residuals of a resection of the left scapula and a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 16, 2009, to March 10, 2013. The Board granted TDIU and DEA benefits during this period.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea, to obtain additional medical opinions addressing aggravation as distinct from causation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including neck disability, shoulder disability, and various joint issues. The decision was based on errors in duty to assist and the need for further development of the evidence.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.