Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of recent medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability. The issues of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and cervical spine conditions as well as sleep apnea are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for her right shoulder disability, including as secondary to her service-connected right hip disability. The case is being returned for further proceedings.

The Veteran's claim for a jaw condition was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the Board making a decision.,The Veteran's previously denied left shoulder disability claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an additional temporary rating (convalescence) for shoulder impingement with osteoarthritis, right shoulder, from March 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, right arm and leg disorders, left arm and leg disorders, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was approximately in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's headaches were present in service and ongoing ever since.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, GERD, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical strain.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's current shoulder or GERD conditions began during active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current right shoulder condition and an in-service injury. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have ongoing symptoms related to the in-service injury after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total disability rating and for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability due to ongoing functional limitations post-surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability has been reopened, but the claims for bilateral shoulder disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The issues include arthritis, hearing loss, cold weather injuries, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, GERD, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss and left shoulder disability have not met the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The case is being remanded to determine if he qualifies for an extraschedular TDIU based on his unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities are related to service.,Service connection was also granted for depressive disorder NOS, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, psychotic disorder NOS, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, but the Board found that an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, right arm, and shoulder conditions as secondary to service-connected lower back disability due to insufficient opinions in the January 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain additional medical records and worker's compensation records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's pelvic floor dysfunction is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran asserts that her current right shoulder disability may be related to in-service heavy lifting and/or sexual assault during active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability and an arthritis disability (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis).

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and fibromyalgia.