Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder and left ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left eye injury is denied as there is no evidence of an identified disability.,The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder is denied as the condition was not diagnosed until after service, and there is no chronicity of symptoms from service.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds that his current psychiatric condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Prior to July 20, 2020, the Veteran's left ankle strain was manifested by moderate limited motion and a rating of 10% was assigned.,From July 20, 2020, the Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10%, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and its onset during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA examination to determine if the current left shoulder disorder is related to in-service events, including verified periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back condition. The claims for service connection of right shoulder, right hand carpal tunnel, and sciatica conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, but denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The matter must be remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the neck and shoulder, PTSD, and arthritis of the wrist, is remanded due to need for additional examinations. Additionally, his claim for service connection for arthritis of the joints, potentially related to exposure in Southwest Asia, is also remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a minimum of 20 percent since May 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is rated at 20 percent from April 13, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for shoulder impairments secondary to knee disabilities.

The Veteran's dental disabilities and dyshidrotic eczema have been granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, right lower extremity disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder conditions, as well as his claim for a low back condition. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic headaches, right shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis, left shoulder bursitis (prior to March 18, 2015), knee arthritis, hand degenerative joint disease, ankle strains, and cervical osteoarthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 22, 2017. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on this evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for his right shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not show that the condition manifested symptoms warranting such a rating prior to May 4, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and knee conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and its complications, including a right shoulder disability. The specific issues include seeking service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to other service-connected conditions, requesting higher ratings for various diabetic complications, and determining if there is a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a head injury was withdrawn, and the maximum schedular disability rating for his left knee replacement is maintained. Issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability, shortening of the left leg, right shoulder recurrent dislocation, and facial scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inconsistencies in obtaining a nexus opinion and the need for further development of the obesity issue.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.