Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back, shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as PTSD and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records, particularly from his military service, and to schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for GERD is dismissed.,A 30 percent disability rating, but no higher, was granted for the service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches before February 7, 2020. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum allowable schedular rating for this condition.,For the period on appeal from February 7, 2020 onwards, a higher disability rating for the service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches was denied.,A separate 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, was granted for left knee instability. The Veteran's left knee flexion is limited to no worse than 110 degrees with pain at full flexion and extension is to 0 degrees. There has been no evidence of ankylosis or semilunar cartilage dislocation.,Service connection was denied for the service-connected left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches is remanded. Service connection for TBI residuals as part of PTSD remains pending.,Service connection was denied for the service-connected left hip and right hip disabilities.,The matter regarding service connection for TBI residuals as part of PTSD is referred to the AOJ for clarification.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability and a liver disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder melanoma, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, including DJD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hand disorder and left shoulder disorder. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted, including bilateral foot disorder, right hand disorder, cervical spine disorder, thoracic and lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional evidence from SSA, private providers, and worker's compensation. The claims will be reviewed again with this new information.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including acromioclavicular joint arthritis, is granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it began during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder derangement and impingement syndrome was restored to a 40 percent rating, effective June 1, 2015. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for this disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records and requires an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including whether it is related to active military service or caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of either ear, according to VA standards. The claims for increased evaluations for service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to document the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee strain is also remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but the other issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disorder, right shoulder condition (secondary to a left shoulder disorder), and bilateral hip disorder. The issues of service connection are being addressed.