Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, and spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle and right shoulder condition due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to wear and tear from carrying equipment as an artilleryman during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension due to potential aggravation by a service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PFB have been denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of a hearing loss disability.,For his right shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot disorders, unspecified circulation disorder, and scalp disorder (previously claimed as alopecia), the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee conditions were not incurred in or related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The appeal for service connection of a right shoulder condition is dismissed. The case for service connection of a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for painful motion, myositis ossificans left elbow was received on July 25, 2012. The effective date of April 9, 2014, is granted for the right elbow strain.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to April 9, 2015, is remanded due to inextricability with the right shoulder rating issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient nexus opinions and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his in-service fall, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 19, 2012, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery and subsequent wound infection required a period of convalescence, which is needed to determine the appropriate temporary total rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as the current opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases of right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle sprain for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an effective date earlier than November 8, 2013, for the award of service connection for right knee strain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD due to MST) is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and left foot plantar fasciitis, service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, service connection for left arm bicep tendonitis, service connection for left knee strain, service connection for sinusitis, service connection for sleep apnea, and finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any identified disabilities and their relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction, mechanical low back strain, coccydynia, and right shoulder tendonitis and bursitis due to conflicting evidence of record. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and left hip disability due to unresolved development needs.

A rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 100 percent since April 30, 2012. This also grants special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.