Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and has remanded the case to consider a separate additional rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder and low back conditions as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted a Total Disability Rating for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from June 1, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from October 31, 2014, to June 9, 2022, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from June 10, 2022, onward, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder condition and a left hand condition, finding that the evidence does not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right foot disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to clarify his diagnoses and determine their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a bilateral foot disorder, knee disorders, hip disorder, back disorder, shoulder disorder, tailbone disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to incomplete military records. The increased rating claim for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has identified new evidence that was not previously considered and has ordered the AOJ to review this evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded so that the AOJ can consider all of the evidence, including the newly added VA-generated documents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a generalized arthritis disorder and degenerative arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles and left shoulder to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine sacroiliitis due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for the lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. Service connection is also granted for the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including knee and leg disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and a neck disability. The VA will schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions and prepare dose estimates for any potential radiation exposure claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, rated as a total shoulder arthroplasty status post rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 60 percent and denied for an increased rating.

The appeal to reopen service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a bone disorder is granted. Service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, arthritis, right foot, and left foot disorders are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for a right hand ganglion cyst.,Service connection was not established for the remaining conditions: right hand disability other than ganglion cyst, left hand disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder strains have been granted service connection.,Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been granted as secondary to bipolar disorder. Swollen lymph nodes, lumps under skin, and cysts are related to sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service.,Service connection was also granted for SVT, with the presumption of soundness rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the condition was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the right wrist disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome) due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.