Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has found that the RO substantially complied with the April 2022 Board remand directives and is still unable to make a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to a separate compensable rating for his symptoms of right shoulder scar numbness and tingling secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The matter is REMANDED for an examination regarding the nature, severity, and etiology of any such symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support finding that the current disabilities began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to clarify whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a missing VA chiropractic record dated January 4, 2008 and for obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether any current shoulder disabilities are related to service or worsened by the service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the examination reports. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome and recurrent dislocation are currently rated at 20% and 30%, respectively. The Board has found substantial compliance with remand directives, and the issues of service connection for heart disorder, GERD, diverticulosis, and TDIU remain before the Board.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and bilateral pes planus are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection of left shoulder, upper back, and lower back disorders. The claims are now remanded to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, back disability, neck disability, sciatic nerve conditions in buttocks (left and right lower extremities), lower leg disabilities (left and right lower extremities), upper extremity disabilities (left and right upper extremities), and hemorrhoids due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unavailability of VA examinations and insufficient rationale in the February 2021 VA medical opinion. The Veteran is required to provide a response regarding whether he can appear for a telehealth examination or an in-person VA examination, and if so, what type of examination.

Service connection is granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, sinus headaches, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction) prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not have its onset in service, is not chronic or continuous since service separation, and was not due to an in-service disease, injury, or other incident of service. Therefore, service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for Parkinson's disease, persistent depressive disorder, neck condition, back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and pes planus have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere's disease as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for nerve damage with paralysis and loss of sense of taste.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if she was eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation, which would affect the withholding of her VA compensation benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and right shoulder arthritis due to inadequate VA examination in August 2016. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for medullary sponge kidney disease with kidney cyst is granted. The claims for right shoulder and right knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of right shoulder degenerative arthritis due to additional development needed, including a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition due to a lack of documentation in STRs.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonosis and degenerative changes are found to be related to his service as a mortarman in Afghanistan, leading to the grant of service connection.