Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of right shoulder, left shoulder, and neck disabilities are denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's right shoulder/arm condition due to lack of fault on the part of VA and reasonable foreseeability of nerve complications from reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and PTSD were dismissed as the claims have been resolved by full grant of benefits.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, previously claimed as PTSD, was also dismissed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The issue of service connection for depression secondary to the left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck, low back, and left shoulder conditions. The right ankle condition is denied as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has a right shoulder disability that existed during his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record and the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement is not manifested by limitation of motion midway between the side and shoulder level, so an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for both the right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation of preexisting conditions and potential direct service connection. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether new evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are believed to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Board granted service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, attributing them to Gulf War exposure.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The claim for service connection of the left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a shoulder condition. The Veteran was not provided with records from Duke University and the University of North Carolina, which may be relevant to his claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating of a left shoulder disability due to the appellant's withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence showing current diagnoses of right and left shoulder disabilities, but also because there is uncertainty about whether the Veteran had any qualifying service after his discharge from active duty in September 1992. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the likely etiology of these disabilities and verify if the Veteran had any periods of Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's assertions at his hearing suggest multiple injuries in service may have contributed to current disability. A medical opinion is required to address this.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine disability prior to May 10, 2018 was denied. For the period from May 10, 2018 to June 23, 2021, her claim for a higher rating was also denied.