Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date earlier than March 29, 2014 for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep disturbance) is also dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for left knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For PTSD prior to May 30, 2019, the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his left knee disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD, and residual scar related to the chin are being remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder, back, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD shown as prominent borderline personality traits, and left shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider his reported in-service exposure to burn pits and other environmental hazards.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence and potential worsening of service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a left shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of a medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are secondary to undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multi-symptom illnesses related to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease is related to an in-service injury. The claims for a left ankle disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to clarify the Veteran's employment status and assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, and fibromyalgia conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing relevant treatment records from 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left shoulder, arm, and hand condition as well as his left leg, thigh, hip, foot, and toe condition. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a pre-existing condition.,There is no credible medical evidence showing that the Veteran's current shoulder, arm, and hand issues are related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability, TBI, migraine headaches, and elbow disabilities due to incomplete development. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an equipment purchase of an adjustable king or queen size bed and ergonomic chair through the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program, finding that such purchases were not necessary to achieve his independent living goal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 18, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral foot disability, and denied his claims for service connection of his bilateral shoulder, hand and finger, neck, left elbow, and knee disabilities. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disturbance/insomnia.