Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and bilateral shoulder disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disability are granted, while the claims for left elbow, wrist, and rib cage disabilities as well as a right elbow injury are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's Vietnam service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to authorize release of his private primary care physician's medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a back disorder. The VA examinations conducted in September 2014 and June 2016 were not sufficient to address the etiology of these conditions, as they did not consider all relevant evidence or provide clear rationales.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims of service connection for left hand disability are also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, hemorrhoids, hypertension, premature ventricular contractions (claimed as irregular heart rate), and a left shoulder disability. The case is REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, nor is there any evidence to suggest such conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board also found no relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hip disability and active service or service-connected disabilities. The examiner opined that the current diagnosis of bilateral iliopsoas tendonitis is less likely due to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, and thus remanding for further development to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip, shoulder, and ankle conditions as well as the claim for an increased disability rating for prostate cancer. The TDIU claim was also dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's request to reopen her finally denied claim of service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the increased rating for back disability, and claims for degenerative arthritis of shoulders, neck, and knees.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, hip disabilities, neck and shoulder/arm disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU. The Board has previously remanded several of these issues due to the need for additional development, particularly regarding in-service treatment records at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. These issues are now being remanded again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and hormonal deficiency syndrome have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hand, and wrist conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis has been denied. The claims for right shoulder and wrist conditions, as well as the TMJ disorder disability rating, have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and recurrent sinus disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's sanity at the time of his discharge. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability are also being remanded.