Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis, is granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disabilities are granted due to in-service injury and post-service complaints.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 13, 2022 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records related to any disability benefits claim and developing the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has withdrawn several claims and has remanded one issue for further development. The Veteran's external hemorrhoids claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint degenerative disease with muscle atrophy, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and development due to a lack of VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck and shoulder disability, as well as a disability manifested by numbness in the bilateral arms (excluding hands), due to an undiagnosed illness. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions to address the Veteran's contentions regarding Persian Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination for each condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, and a left eye macular condition. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or were otherwise related to military service.,The VA examiners provided opinions indicating that there was no credible link between the Veteran's current eye disabilities (Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and left eye macular scarring) and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for bone fracture, traumatic arthritis (left third metatarsal foot fracture), ringing in the ears, hair loss, a separate compensable disability manifested by sleep disturbance, and joint pain as well as left and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's claims are based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show these conditions began during active service or were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's periodic limb movement disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, eye disability, back disability, or right knee disability began during active service.,The Board determined there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between any of these conditions and periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, eye condition, shortness of breath, and left triceps strain and left shoulder arthritis due to failure to attend scheduled examinations.

The Board granted an effective date of June 13, 2011, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as it did not manifest prior to January 8, 2013. A rating in excess of 40 percent for a back disability prior to March 26, 2014, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter, is denied. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 18, 2013. Service connection for cardiovascular insufficiency was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's right shoulder/right arm disability is being reviewed, but no service connection will be granted at this time as there is insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, radicular pain of the upper extremities, GERD, and shoulder strain with impingement have been granted. The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, cervical spine, and left wrist disabilities have been remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for a temporary total rating following June 2016 surgery on her service-connected left elbow disability has also been referred back to the AOJ.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including right shoulder, left arm, right arm, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active service or being related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and incomplete information regarding his periods of military service.