Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities as they are all part of a pending appeal under Docket No. 251006-597543.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU, right shoulder disability rating, PTSD disability rating, and OSA disability rating. The appeal of the OSA rating was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, including as secondary to the already-service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left scapula, and for an increased rating for the service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left scapula are also being remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, and the Board found no current diagnosis of a migraine condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his PTSD and has been granted service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 10, 2017 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A), finding that the Veteran was entitled to this benefit as of that date due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,Right shoulder degenerative arthritis and cervical strain claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, prostate condition, sleep apnea, vertigo, hypertension, back condition, shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, and ankle/foot conditions. The reasons provided are that the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder conditions are related to his active service. The claims for service connection for right shoulder conditions have been remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions that consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset and continuity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted, with a specific rating of 40 percent for the right upper extremity weakness resulting from stroke.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with degenerative arthritis could have manifested during service, within one year of service, or be otherwise related to service. The remanded opinion will determine this.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a low back condition, but denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the PCAFC is remanded due to inadequate reasoning and failure to discuss relevant evidence, including VA examination reports and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,PTSD service connection granted with an effective date of January 27, 2025. The original claim was filed on July 10, 2024.,Claims for left wrist and right wrist disabilities are remanded due to lack of VA examination or medical opinion.,Claims for right shoulder disability and headache disability (tension headaches) are remanded as the VA examiner did not address specific assertions regarding in-service events.,The Veteran's low back disability is diagnosed but a VA examination or medical opinion was not provided.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been granted as cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities.,A 50 percent rating has been granted for her tension headaches.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for left shoulder disabilities and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that November 20, 2018 is the earliest possible effective date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back pain, and left shoulder dislocation are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.