Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with her education, skills, training, and work history.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed. A 100% disability rating for PTSD is granted effective February 1, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder arthritis are rated at 20 percent each, but the VA examiner found that these conditions make it difficult for him to perform occupational tasks. The Board has referred this TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and missing records. The Veteran is presumed to have PTSD, anxiety, and depression related to her in-service hazing and assault. Her lumbar and neck conditions are also being reviewed as they may be related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches, cervical spine spondylosis, facet syndrome and cervical myofascial pain syndrome, right shoulder osteoarthritis and labral tear status post arthroscopic repair, thoracolumbar strain, and right knee tendonitis/tendinosis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether these conditions arose during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of back, shoulder, knee, foot, bronchitis, vision, and arm disorders are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU prior to September 3, 2013 are inextricably intertwined with his current claims. Therefore, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and headaches, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.,For the TDIU claim, the Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone result in such impairment of mind or body that he is precluded from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right hip and shoulder disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee PFPS due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition was granted. The claims for bilateral knee and ankle conditions are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran seeks service connection for a neck condition and increased ratings for left shoulder and right ankle conditions. These issues are now pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain his medical records and conduct examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which may affect his ability to drive. The matter will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and bilateral wrist disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional clarifying addenda/opinions.

The Board has remanded both issues due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder and nerve disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability. Service connection remains denied for right foot disability, skin condition, and stress (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left ear hearing loss, and bilateral eye disability. The claim for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder condition was aggravated by his military service. The claim will be reviewed on its merits without reopening it.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.