Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service. The claims will be reconsidered after the necessary examinations are completed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing more than limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, as secondary to his service-connected neck disability. The case is being returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral foot arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and lower back arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because the March 2020 VA examination report did not comply with the holding in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and there were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors regarding obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective dates assigned are August 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to correct duty to assist errors and obtain retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is being remanded to conduct an updated medical review.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and gout due to the absence of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current left knee, left shoulder, or gout disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided do not comply with the remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded again.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 4, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion, particularly regarding the Veteran's reports of shoulder pain during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's representative was not provided an opportunity for a hearing prior to the review, but this is not considered prejudicial as they will be given another chance after the development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to insufficient range of motion measurements in previous VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, a left ankle disability, and a left shoulder disability. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than rhinitis. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and a right elbow disorder, both secondary to service-connected left ulnar neuropathy. The VA examiner must address whether these conditions are related to overcompensation due to the Veteran's limited use of his left arm.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disorders. The cases are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The back disability, bilateral knee disabilities (right and left knees), and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.