Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of his right shoulder and back conditions before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need to consider his exposure to burn pit toxins under the PACT Act. The Veteran is presumed exposed to burn pit toxins as a result of his service in Egypt.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, and right knee strain due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including updated treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, back disability, calcification of the wrists, and left thigh disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The Veteran needs further verification from the U.S. Coast Guard personnel office.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations in China, and the need to reinvestigate the evidence related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, a right shoulder disorder, and a higher disability rating for right wrist strain due to incomplete notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's lay contentions regarding his in-service injuries are considered, but the VA examiner did not provide a rationale for rejecting these contentions despite the Veteran's history of heavy lifting during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, kidney stent, and left hip disability due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current right shoulder and left hand disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. For GERD, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 14, 2016, or any higher rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibrocystic breast disease, migraine headaches, and left shoulder disability due to service exposure to burn pits. The VA will gather additional evidence and provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right upper extremity scar, and right upper extremity burn scar due to lack of a diagnosed disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from October 1, 2014 to August 14, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but has remanded the left shoulder disability claim due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent shoulder, hip, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and to obtain a retrospective opinion regarding the extent of functional loss during flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoporosis of the bones, including pain in his back, legs/knees, feet, shoulders, and neck, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of osteoporosis and the Board finds that any diagnosed conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic eye disability, thyroid disease, and skin disorder including rash on the neck due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection was remanded for further examination and opinion regarding thyroid disease, skin disorder including rash on the neck, rectal cancer/loss of colon, painful joints, and dizziness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has been granted. The right shoulder disability and OSA claims are remanded.