Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to February 18, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability and for a left shoulder disability as these benefits are already in effect.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to PTSD, MDD, sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, recurrent headaches, hypertension, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include left knee, right shoulder, and insomnia disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The AOJ is required to obtain VA examinations and/or medical opinions to determine if any current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain. The Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders, as well as his left hip, knee, and lower extremity radiculopathy are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a left knee condition is dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the claim. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an upper back and shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides, specifically in Da Nang Vietnam. The claims will be reconsidered based on this verification.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 19, 2016 and at 30 percent effective that date. The right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent.,Prior to August 19, 2016, the Veteran's right ankle disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating. Effective August 19, 2016, it met criteria for a 30 percent rating. The right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent.,The effective date of the increased 20 percent rating for the right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that his functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the disability has already been established and compensated. The Veteran's left ankle sprain residuals are granted, but her left shoulder and GI disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection claims for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for scar formation residual to appendectomy/inguinal hernia, has been granted. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection.

This decision dismisses the appeal for a compensable rating for hearing loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2011. The right shoulder strain was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2019, and then denied from that date forward. Right knee strain has been rated at 10 percent overall. Limited flexion of the right knee is rated as degenerative arthritis, while instability is separately rated.,reasoning for summary sentence: The Veteran's conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations without considering prior ratings or any changes in disability status.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome and earlier effective date for left shoulder disability have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the claims for a compensable rating for service-connected left shoulder residuals of shrapnel wound and service connection for sleep disturbances.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal issues, as well as psychiatric disorders. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from December 29, 1994. The Board finds that remand to obtain a retrospective medical opinion is warranted due to the lack of sufficient information in prior VA examinations for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease C5-6, right arm numbness and tingling, right shoulder disability, fibromyalgia, left foot condition (other than metatarsalgia and neuroma), and right foot condition (other than second toe fracture) as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.