Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted for the period from February 8, 2010 to April 3, 2014 on an extraschedular basis and from April 13, 2014 to March 13, 2015 on a schedular basis. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities was sufficient for TDIU during these periods.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic headache disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for higher ratings on multiple lipomas, right shoulder disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder strain and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to cooperate in providing necessary medical evidence, including failing to attend VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions in the current file. The Veteran's STRs are incomplete, and a new examination is needed to determine if his disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gout, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, finding that there is evidence of current disability and in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms from his in-service injury to the present was found credible.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease with recurrent subluxation is rated at 40 percent since June 24, 2022. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has found the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review inadequate to support the decision made, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL). The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, rash, right shoulder condition, chest condition, and hemorrhoids as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service treatment and any present conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to attend VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's spouse was granted dependency compensation effective from November 28, 2011, the date of his service-connected disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of upper back, low back, left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disorders. The claims are now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, left hand, and left foot as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches under the PACT Act. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, shoulder, lung, hip, skin, ED, and OSA disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).