Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for effective dates and ratings related to his right shoulder scars, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and pituitary gland tumor are being remanded due to the addition of relevant evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right shoulder strain has been remanded, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a scalp disorder/condition, left-hand disability, and right shoulder disability due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or links to service.,The Veteran's claim for skin disability of bilateral feet was remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and requests for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as his entitlement to service connection for right and left knee instability. The effective date assigned was March 31, 2017, which is the date of the Veteran's intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's appeals for otitis externa and urinary frequency were dismissed. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability, a left trapezoid disability, and a testicular disability are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tension headaches are service-connected. The left shoulder disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and treatment records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cough-variant asthma, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left shoulder tendinitis with clavicle fracture, tinnitus, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, residuals of otitis media, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are rated at 70 percent combined from December 2, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these disabilities, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, neurocognitive disorder, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder, has been denied.,The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to missing service treatment records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain and right ankle tendonitis due to insufficient medical opinions provided by VA. The claims are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was denied, and his ratings for cervical spine disability were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in rating.