Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence indicates other employment opportunities.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right foot, left foot, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that additional relevant evidence has been added to the claims file and has remanded the case for readjudication by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder bicipital tendonitis and degenerative joint disease with impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has denied service connection for a shoulder condition and hypertension (HTN). The Veteran's shoulder conditions were not shown to be related to his service, while the Board found that HTN was not shown to be related to his service. Service connection is being remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for PTSD and major depression has been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions, including inadequate knee and shoulder examinations. The issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as their associated scars, are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right and left ear hearing loss, a left ankle disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder impingement syndrome, a right hip disorder, a left elbow disorder, headaches, and anxiety. The appeals were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his appeal. The Board cannot determine if he was properly notified without documentation in the file.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered remand to determine if functional ankylosis exists. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its intertwinement with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, and the issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with herniated disc and arachnoiditis have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding evaluations in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, 10 percent for bilateral knee strain, 20 percent for bilateral shoulder strain, 10 percent for bilateral wrist strain, and 10 percent for bilateral hip strain. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran not timely filing a VA Form 10182.

The Board has found a duty to assist error and remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate disability, hearing loss, PTSD, and right shoulder disability render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and right shoulder injury have been granted service connection.,Other issues such as bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, GERD, and service connection for right ear hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new theories of entitlement.,Remand is also necessary to ensure all relevant VA treatment records are associated with the file and to address the Veteran's Gulf War status in relation to his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis of the hips, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic constipation (claimed as IBS), hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis (claimed as IBS) due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran does not have CFS, fibromyalgia, or IBS.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain has been granted service connection.,Separate ratings of 10% each have been granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder tendonitis, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, a right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, left elbow disability, and left rib injury. Service connection is granted on de novo review.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to active duty service.