Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability resulted in functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis with abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulders, migraines (including as due to service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD and IBS), a respiratory disorder (sinusitis), rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia, and rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his increased disability rating of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the exact onset of the limitation of motion to warrant a 20 percent disability for the Veteran's right shoulder arose on February 5, 2016. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disability, was also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and/or right knee osteoarthritis. The cervical spine disability remains remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen during service and was instead the natural progression of his injury.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities due to additional relevant treatment records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10% for his left shoulder disability was increased to 20%, effective May 14, 2013. The Board found the evidence consistent with a December 2020 VA examination report showing that the Veteran could not lift more than 5 lbs. above his head and flexion and abduction were limited to 90 degrees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing hospital records from Guam.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle, left leg, right leg, frostbite residuals, inguinal injury, sterility, right shoulder, low back, bilateral hip, and left ankle disabilities. The remand is due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of active service and the need for addendum opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, PTSD, migraines, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, coccydynia, and rhomboid muscle strain with bilateral trapezius muscle strain, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The decision grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS from June 30, 2014 is granted. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion and IVDS episodes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for posttraumatic headaches from June 30, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple new and material evidence-based claims that require additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include nerve damage is granted. The Board also remanded the case for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of new evidence. The effective date for left hand neuropathy is established as October 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.