Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to her service-connected disabilities and secondary conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis/tendinopathy and left shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The rating for the flexion tendon laceration of the right-hand status post multiple surgical reconstructions with residual pain is granted prior to June 30, 2021, and denied thereafter.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his bilateral knee conditions and bilateral shoulder condition, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle or foot disability. The evidence did not support the appellant's claims that these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address functional loss during flare-ups.

Service connection for left hand arthritis is granted. Service connection for residuals of ruptured left Achilles tendon is denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and right knee disorder are remanded, as new evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically a discharge Report of Medical History.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be further developed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, National Guard personnel records, and conducting additional examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is granted a 30 percent rating, effective March 30, 2018. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 50 percent rating, also effective March 30, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that his current diagnosis of right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for recurrent dislocations of the right shoulder is remanded due to inadequate examination and new criteria.

The Veteran's left lower leg injury with questionable fracture does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder injury did not result in functional impairment equivalent to flexion limited to midway between side and shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right hand, back, neck, and residuals of a fractured left eye socket with bone graft disabilities as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to consider her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA as a member of the Air Force Reserves and National Guard. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, and respiratory disabilities due to insufficient information regarding their onset and continuity with active duty service.

The Board has remanded the appeals for ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed related to her in-service exposure to fine particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for left arm/shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and shoulder/neck muscle tension are being remanded for further development as the VA examinations did not address the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected anxiety disorder.