Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, lower back disability, and bilateral foot disability. However, these claims are still being remanded as additional evidence is needed to determine the precise nature and etiology of each disability.,The Board also reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an upper back disability. This claim is also being remanded as additional evidence is needed to determine the precise nature and etiology of this disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that further etiology opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral shoulder condition has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, service connection, and increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea with hyperinflated lungs asthma, PTSD, GERD, and right shoulder strain on November 20, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, including strain, tendonitis, and labral tear with degenerative arthritis, effective January 11, 2012, the day following the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to higher initial ratings for the service-connected left shoulder and right ankle disabilities. The reasons are that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding additional functional loss during flare-ups and estimating range of motion loss, or explaining why such an estimate is not possible.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his shoulder scar and service connection for his back disability due to the need for updated examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder is granted. The initial rating for low back disability prior to June 7, 2019 is granted at 20 percent. A higher than 40 percent rating for the low back disability since June 7, 2019 is denied. Initial ratings of 10 percent are granted for right sciatica and scar formation in the right cranium prior to June 6, 2019. The issue of service connection for joint pain is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple knee and ankle conditions, as well as hypertension, are being remanded to the RO for initial consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence of record and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of various joints prior to September 27, 2002 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation to April 30, 2015 for convalescence following the Veteran's October 2014 surgery for right shoulder injury with bursitis. The evidence does not support an extension of this evaluation beyond that date.

The Veteran's left shoulder and associated muscle groups have been granted increased ratings, with the highest possible rating of 40 percent for each muscle group. The decision also includes a 10 percent rating for healed scars on his posterior trunk, left shoulder, and arm area.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities due to inadequate prior VA examinations. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess the severity of his conditions, including whether he experiences flare-ups that affect his range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide a VA examination as part of the December 2021 remand. The Veteran's concerns regarding COVID-19 and his health provided good cause for missing the scheduled examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it began during his military service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by limited motion and ankylosis, has been rated at 40% since August 12, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on functional limitations due to pain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,An effective date earlier than June 29, 2016 is not warranted for the grants of service connection for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, including sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis.