Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied. The current rating of 20 percent is considered appropriate based on the evidence showing no limitation of motion to 25 degrees or less.

The Board has granted service connection for a right-hand disability, including arthritis. However, the decision is mixed as to the right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including those related to lumbar radiculopathy, sleep apnea, shoulder conditions, and elbow conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a neurologic disorder, right and left shoulder, knee, hip, and ear disabilities. The Veteran contends that these conditions are related to his in-service deep-sea diving experience.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and emphysema due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, particularly regarding verification of in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran was unable to obtain and maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities from July 20, 2006 to May 17, 2014. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and the need for clarification of the Veteran's assertions regarding joint pain beginning in service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment, including obtaining additional records and an independent medical expert opinion.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and ratings in excess of 20 percent, 30 percent, or compensable for various conditions. The RO granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence and requests for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The Veteran is not granted service connection for her right shoulder disability as it is related to service, but the issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for OSA is also remanded as it may be related to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, as the previous examinations do not accurately reflect their current state.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and back disorder. Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and hypertension.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and outdated VA examination reports. The Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including confirmation of herbicide agent exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to obtain VA examinations.,VA is required to schedule the Veteran for a comprehensive examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee, back, elbow, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current conditions.