Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to particulate matter. The right shoulder and neck disabilities are denied as not related to service, while the left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The Right Shoulder Disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosed disability related to service. The Respiratory Disorder (chronic cough) claim is remanded for further evaluation, including an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right ankle, right elbow, bilateral arm, right chest and right flank disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent prior to March 23, 2016, and remains at 30 percent thereafter. No higher rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and additional VA medical records added to the claims file after previous SSOCs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for symptoms of passing out, fatigue, and a right shoulder disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the increased ratings of his service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a definitive increase in severity prior to January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment prior to January 4, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, muscle and joint pain (back, neck, left shoulder), fatigue, and skin symptoms are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome is dismissed.,For the period prior to October 31, 2017 and from April 1, 2019 to March 22, 2022, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (acquired psychiatric disorder) is denied.,For the period from October 31, 2017 to April 1, 2019, a 50 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,For the period from March 28, 2019, an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar spine condition is granted.,A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from March 17, 2022.,The Veteran's appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, right shoulder condition, and TDIU are remanded.

The petition to reopen claims for various conditions, including sleep apnea and hemorrhoids, is granted. The issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left and right wrist sprains, and remanded the claim for service connection for a left shoulder strain (torn ligaments) and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and the severity of their service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran will need to provide additional information for a TDIU claim and undergo new examinations.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claims were not perfected for other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or scars.

The Board previously denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records and provide an adequate VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral trigger fingers and musculoskeletal disabilities due to chemotherapy involving Docetaxel, finding that there is no evidence showing VA care caused his additional disability or death.