Shoulder Board decisions

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability is granted, effective August 7, 2022.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of the Veteran's cause of death to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's death certificate indicated suicide by asphyxiation, with contributory factors including prior suicide attempts, suicidal ideations, PTSD, and ADHD.

The veteran's service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted because the condition had its clinical onset during active service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities but remanded the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep disturbances.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of lower back and right shoulder conditions. The Board found that the examiner's opinions were inadequate because they did not address the veteran's lay statements about injuries during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection of right shoulder dysfunction was granted and remanded. The Board found new evidence warranted readjudication, but the VA examination was inadequate.

The veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified dermatitis and right shoulder disability were granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was remanded.

The Board remanded the case to schedule a VA examination for the veteran's right shoulder disability. The decision is based on the need to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The veteran's service connection for trunk and right underarm scars, and left lower leg scar is granted with an effective date of March 31, 2020. Other claims, including those for head, face, or neck scars, and higher ratings for various conditions, are denied.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, ingrown toenail, left knee pain, right knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder dislocation. The Board found that the AOJ did not adequately consider the Veteran's statements regarding current symptoms, in-service events/causes, and possible continuity of symptoms.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for residuals of a right shoulder injury with osteoarthritis was dismissed because the issue was not adjudicated in the September 2022 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for chronic nonsuppurative otitis media and service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left wrist tendinitis and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as service connection for PTSD and shin pain, were denied. Claims for service connection for other conditions were remanded.

The appeal for service connection of the veteran's left shoulder disability has been remanded. The Board will consider new evidence and obtain a medical opinion.

The Board granted some issues, denied others, and remanded several for further development. The veteran's ratings for onychomycosis and GERD were restored to 30 percent. Effective dates for service connection for right shoulder surgical scars and lumbar spine surgical scar were granted. Several other issues were denied or dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied the appeals for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, right anterior shoulder scar. The other issues were remanded.

The Board dismissed claims for asthma, kidney cancer, chest pains, and rhinitis due to lack of adjudication. Claims for cervical DDD, shoulder strains, hip conditions, and foot conditions were remanded for further evaluation.