Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities manifested by tingling and numbness, finding no current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left shoulder disability was denied as the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected scar(s) of the left shoulder, status post arthroscopy has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his status post arthroscopy with clavicle removal of the left shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation with degenerative changes and impingement (nondominant) was denied as there is no basis to award a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left wrist condition and pain has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service onset of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability was also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the in-service onset of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 17, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right big toe and right knee conditions have been denied. The claim for left shoulder condition is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's right big toe or right knee conditions, as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability that began during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed all claims pending before the Board except for the claim for TDIU from July 30, 2010 to September 22, 2013. The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder surgery required a temporary total evaluation from May 9, 2016 to August 31, 2016 due to convalescence. The extension of this evaluation beyond the initial three months is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities. Therefore, another remand is required to ensure proper development of the records and obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, determining the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss, identifying any current left shoulder disability, providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the breast condition, and assessing the severity of service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and clarification of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral elbow, knee, hip, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connected.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 20, 2016, at the earliest.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for the granted ratings are not earlier than November 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine has been reopened and remanded. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and right wrist are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, eye disabilities, and PTSD due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not granted a compensable rating.,The Veteran's surgical scar from transurethral resection of bladder neck contracture and right shoulder are not granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his low back disability, have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations for each condition. The effective date of these ratings is not specified in the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's statements about his in-service injury will be considered, along with any early degeneration or arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.