Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU on a schedular basis from November 20, 2020 due to new evidence received after the previous SSOC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, slap lesion and partial thickness tear supraspinatus tendon right shoulder, and eczema, as well as his claims for service connection for tinnitus, a left wrist disorder, and a right elbow disorder are remanded.

The appeal is being remanded for the RO to consider additional evidence and list specific dates of each four-hour drill/training session in 2011. The benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted so that the previously denied claim is reopened. Other claims are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his shoulder disorders have been granted, with specific ratings assigned based on the severity and nature of each condition.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as left and right shoulder disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions were not established during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and analysis of the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent dislocation, right shoulder degenerative joint disease. The Veteran contends that his pre-existing condition was aggravated during service. An addendum medical opinion is needed to address whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the worsening of the condition was due to natural progression.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with compliance regarding the remand directives for several of the Veteran's claims, and thus these matters are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, had its onset during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, lower back condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.,The Veteran's representative raised concerns about the adequacy of the August 2020 VA examination regarding his claim that his left shoulder disorder was incurred during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA in 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, granting the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has not addressed the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, as a VA examination is needed to determine if PTSD or another diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The low back disability and associated radiculopathy are remanded for further examination to determine their severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, folliculitis of the shoulders, back, hips and thighs, subluxation and chondromalacia of the left knee, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, de Quervain's tenosynovitis of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes, and right and left shoulder strain have been withdrawn. The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, residuals of an injury to the left index finger, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, chronic tendonitis and patella dislocation of the right knee, right knee scar, deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability but denied service connection for a left hip disability. The decision in favor of the left shoulder disability is based on resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, while the denial of the left hip disability is due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms during service are being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The specific issues of entitlement to service connection have not yet been addressed.