Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral bunions, a psychiatric disorder (including MDD), and a bilateral shoulder disorder were all denied. The Board found that the bunions did not have their onset during service and are not otherwise related to active duty service. The MDD was not caused by or increased in severity beyond its natural progress by any service-connected disability. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain is not caused by, or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease by, any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, coupled with his shoulder and migraine headache conditions, have a significant impact on his capacity for substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA's remand instructions were not followed and thus, the claims for service connection of right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The appeal for a separate rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed as the issue has already been adjudicated. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple disabilities have been remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claims were previously remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a left index finger fracture has been granted with an effective date of December 17, 2018.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints, right shoulder disability, cardiomyopathy, and right knee disability is remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for left shoulder pain was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection has also been established for IBS. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for esophageal stricture disability.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disorders due to lack of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, upper respiratory disability, and right shoulder disability are mixed. Service connection is granted for insomnia due to PTSD but denied for sleep apnea and the other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, but his right shoulder disability is granted. The claims for initial compensable ratings for left hip disabilities and for a higher rating for the right knee prior to July 7, 2003 are remanded. The total disability due to individual unemployability claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder melanoma.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shoulder and foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder conditions due to inadequate nexus opinions provided by VA medical examiners. The examiner's opinions are based solely on medical literature without considering the Veteran's specific case details, such as his medical records and reported symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports and failure to consider his lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 10, 2018 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied.,Effective dates cannot be established before the date of separation from active duty or the date entitlement arose if within one year.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and hemorrhoids have been granted. The claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted as it manifested during service and is related to service.,Bilateral shoulder disability was granted as it manifested during service with continuity of symptomatology since service.