Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU prior to June 27, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected back and shoulder disabilities are likely precluding him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, diabetes mellitus type II, and neurogenic bladder to allow for further development. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right upper extremity scars have been granted. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, OSA, headache disability (including as secondary to PTSD), left ankle disability, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his condition.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, and back disability are all REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be present during active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,A skin disorder of the feet is also not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations. The Veteran's current hip and shoulder conditions are not found to be causally related or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee, right ankle, and/or low back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for asthma is granted based on the PACT Act.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's lower back disability claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there are no significant changes in hearing thresholds shown in the records and the Veteran did not report any complaints of tinnitus until after military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there was no record of complaint or treatment for tinnitus during active service, and the Board finds that it is more likely related to post-military events.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim is denied as his current condition does not appear to be related to an in-service injury or disease. The remanded issues of bilateral shoulder conditions will impact this decision.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition and left shoulder condition claims are both remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a nerve disorder and an increased rating for the left hip disability are dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of service connection for TBI is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition. Service connection for shoulder and wrist disorders is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left hip disability is dismissed due to withdrawal. His claim for service connection for TBI remains pending, but the Board finds that he does not have a current diagnosis of TBI. The claims for service connection for shoulder and wrist disorders are also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file to determine its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and retrospective medical opinions. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The VA examiner found no relationship between her current disabilities and active service.

The Board has previously considered and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome. The Veteran's representative now argues that the appeal is about nerve impingement related to his shoulder condition. A new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the neurologic symptoms are part of the service-connected shoulder condition or due to another, non-service-connected diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left hip, left knee disabilities and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, right shoulder degenerative changes, and lumbar spondylosis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted an initial rating of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition prior to November 16, 2017, and a separate rating of 40 percent each for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether his claimed left knee, back, and left shoulder disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, right ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability have been granted.,The VA has provided compensation for these disabilities resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.