Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record and remands several issues for further review, including service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder AC strain and left knee patella tendonitis due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current shoulder conditions and service.

The Board has determined that substantial compliance with the August 2021 remand directives has not been achieved, and therefore, the claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Board previously denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded due to a request from the Veteran's attorney for information about the competency of the March 2017 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of an adequate examination addressing the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left hand, right hand, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the nature and severity of his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, and right shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis during the entire claims period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent for impairment prior to October 12, 2017 and 30 percent thereafter. The appeal has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable Codes.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability, a compensable evaluation for hallux valgus of the left great toe, and service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder are dismissed. The Veteran's claim for migraines, including symptoms of vision loss, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left shoulder disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the September 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes dislocation and degenerative joint disease, is now rated at 30 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his cervical spine disability was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.,His PTSD is rated at the minimum 30 percent, and no higher rating is granted as there are intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection. The rating in excess of 20 percent for left foot disability remains denied, with the case being remanded.,Service connection is also being remanded for right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and right hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a service connection.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches, with evidence at least in equipoise regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a thoracic spine disability and TDIU has been withdrawn. The Board has granted TDIU effective March 13, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right shoulder disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU has also been denied due to the Veteran not meeting the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his employment history is unclear and he has worked at times throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.