Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder degenerative joint disease due to potential functional ankylosis, which was not addressed in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure during service. The left ankle and/or foot disorder (claimed as left ankle sprain) and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection for a dental condition (teeth and mouth pain) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it is more likely than not related to an in-service injury during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for upper back, right shoulder, sternum/chest, and foot disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's jaw disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities. The VA will provide additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his military service. The evidence did not show any chronic right shoulder symptoms in service or within one year of separation.,The Board also denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, noting that there was no diagnosed condition and no functional impairment of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a need for addendum opinions that reflect the correct standard of review as established by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Lynch v. McDonough.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disorder and right shoulder disorder, but granted service connection for a right hip disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an increased rating for his postoperative acromioclavicular separation, right shoulder. The evidence did not support a finding of current right ear hearing loss disability or that the Veteran had a right shoulder disability to a degree warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right finger disability has been withdrawn.,The claim for an effective date earlier than January 12, 2015, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for right finger disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his request for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, have all been denied. The Veteran also has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD was not found to be manifested by total social impairment at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right scapula/shoulder disability and neurological disabilities of the feet and lower extremity. The appeals are being returned to VA for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder trapezius strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his range of motion does not warrant a higher rating as it has never been limited to within 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder DJD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder injury with a history of a partial tendon tear and acromioclavicular joint arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, left ring finger fracture, scars of the right knee and left shoulder, are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.