Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent until November 14, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to incomplete STRs, need for additional medical opinions, and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other physical conditions, are considered to be of sufficient severity to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 18, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at a 30 percent disability rating since May 15, 2013. The Board found that the condition more nearly approximated limited arm motion midway between side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and a need for additional medical opinions on the right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and a lower back disability due to inadequate examination reports in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical examination and lack of addressing pain on range of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his claims for several conditions, including headaches, pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, Athlete's foot, hyperlipidemia, and skin conditions. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's chronic cervical spine disability is granted as service connected. The claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missed VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations and failure to do so could result in denial of claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The VA will attempt to obtain all outstanding service treatment records, clarify the dates of National Guard service, and provide a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's varicocele is granted as secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction. The Board has also remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left ankle, lumbar spine condition, right scaphoid fracture, left scaphoid fracture, left knee, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right hand and wrist have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders is denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability and hypertension, finding no evidence of current disabilities within one year post-service or causation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, arm, hand, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of specific dates for periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for a temporary total rating, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's recovery timeline after surgeries needs clarification.

The Veteran's left shoulder dislocation is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,For his right shoulder bankart report (minor), an adequate VA examination is needed to assess the current level of disability.