Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted and must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on your claims. The AOJ will consider this new evidence in their next review of your case.

The Veteran's appeal for a restoration of his 20% rating for DJD of the right shoulder was withdrawn. His claim for a 50% rating for bilateral varicose veins, effective February 10, 2014, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to missing records and new diagnoses. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records from Monroe Urgent Care, Dr. Phillip, and Dr. Harold.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to confirm all disorders and obtain adequate etiological opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU effective May 1, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left shoulder labral tear with acromioclavicular bursitis.

The Veteran withdrew both issues on appeal, so the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome with bursitis (dominant), status post labral tear was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensable, effective June 1, 2014. The Board has restored the prior 20 percent rating due to a failure to comply with applicable law and regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. No new evidence was presented, nor did he file a claim after June 20, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder ankylosing spondylitis is rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board has denied entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Several initial rating claims have also been remanded, including those for shoulder, hip, knee, and spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits, other than employment services, to include a master's degree in pursuit of a career as a PA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issues of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder biceps tendonitis, impingement syndrome and labral tear and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hips, knees, feet, and shoulders as well as gout of the toes due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions. The claims are now pending for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (Chronic Adjustment Disorder).,The matter of whether the Veteran's Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (manifesting as memory loss) is secondary to his newly service-connected psychiatric disability will be submitted for review.,The Board has remanded several claims related to sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia and surgical scar.,Several skin disorder claims are being reviewed, including whether they are secondary to exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is also being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,Several other claims are being remanded, including those related to sleep apnea, memory loss, skin disorders, heart disorder, sinus disorder, left shoulder disorder, gout, knee disorder, leg disorder, visual disorder, prostate disorder, foot disorder, and thyroid disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) as there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, right shoulder condition, and muscle spasms is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service assault, and his right shoulder and back conditions are linked to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, rated as service-connected left shoulder injury residuals, is granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective from May 25, 2016.