Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's prostate condition, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, shoulder and hip disabilities (claimed as bursitis and tendonitis), psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of tonsillitis and mononucleosis, but has remanded the issue of service connection for generalized arthritis involving joints other than the right shoulder, to include the back.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his LEFT shoulder and dental disabilities were dismissed. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition, including opioid dependence / alcohol dependence / mood disorder / cognitive disorder / psychotic disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, was reopened.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases in the previous decision regarding the right shoulder polymyositis. The Veteran's medications for his general polymyositis condition are considered, and a new VA examination is required to assess the impact on his right shoulder.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected. The Board found the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service credible.,The Veteran was hospitalized for a head injury in 1982, which is considered to be a TBI resulting in current residuals including mood disorder not otherwise specified.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. A 20% rating was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his shoulder condition, service connection for bilateral pes planus, and service connection for an eye condition due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, back disability, and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran needs a VA orthopedic examination to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent dislocations, bilateral shoulders, are related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating for various conditions, including eye disorders, right shoulder disorders, left shoulder disorders, and hearing loss in both ears, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis are a progression of his service-connected left trapezius strain. The case is being returned for another VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the adequacy of VA examinations and failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for service-connected disabilities prior to November 5, 2018 was 90 percent. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left shoulder sprain and left ankle sprain were denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder strain was increased to 20 percent in July 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as there is no medical evidence showing limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or functional ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and the need for further clarification of opinions.