Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hip disability due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms in service are considered, but the VA examiner found it speculative to link these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 24, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus disability is granted as service connection due to the onset in service and persistence since.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, numbness in left hand, right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's shoulder and foot disabilities. Separate ratings may be warranted for multiple service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and ulnar neuritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, even considering pain.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling from October 20, 2015 to November 17, 2016, did not render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation. Beginning November 17, 2016, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and TDIU is moot as his PTSD alone prevents him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension for further development. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed to determine if there is a relationship between his disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms and lay testimony are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder joint pain and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection and TDIU issues. The right ankle disability has been granted a 20% rating, but the other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and right knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA examination reports regarding the severity of flare-ups. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings, but the current evidence does not support a determination on service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery in April 2016 resulted in severe postoperative residuals, and the Board has granted a temporary total rating based on this. The case is remanded for further development regarding initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability and for service connection for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is required to provide information about any outstanding private treatment records, including those from Dr. Carmago. A VA examination must be scheduled to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disabilities due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) Barbara Wright-Bruce.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment from December 24, 2014, to March 21, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service or if it was caused by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to those conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional records.