Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current ratable disability.,His right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders based on evidence showing these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone supports an award of total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, and his other service-connected disabilities combined exceed a 60% rating. Therefore, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability, and bilateral flat feet. The case is also being remanded for a determination on whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, lumbar, cervical neck, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate etiological opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the claim for TDIU prior to January 12, 2022, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for non-initial increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis, limitation of extension and flexion of the right hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at an 80 percent combined rating effective February 6, 2009, but no higher.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and wrist disabilities has been granted.,Service connection is denied for a left wrist disability.

The Veteran's recurrent gastrointestinal disability to include IBS is granted as service connected. The right shoulder disability remains under appeal and remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disability, and clarifying numbness in the Veteran's feet. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and frostbite of the bilateral feet are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, shoulder, hand, finger, and knee joints is denied. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle joint is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to changes in his symptoms and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and increased ratings for his right shoulder disability due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to PTSD, is granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to the complexity of the medical issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for right shoulder impingement syndrome. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.