Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and her service-connected PTSD, as well as whether any of these conditions were caused or aggravated by her in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service. The matter will be returned for a new VA medical nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left shoulder disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's fracture of the left fifth toe with degenerative joint disease is granted a 20% rating. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder posterior aspect gunshot wound (GSW) to Muscle Groups I, III, and IV with residual scars is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes impingement syndrome and osteoarthritis, has not been found to warrant a higher rating due to the lack of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's VR&E services are being remanded due to a significant change in her disability picture and an increase in severity of her service-connected disabilities, necessitating further evaluation by a VRC or other VR&E specialist.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and decisions need to be reviewed again, as per previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the left (minor) elbow, prior to July 24, 2020; and for rheumatoid arthritis of the right (major) elbow, since July 24, 2020. The appeal is also denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of other joints including left shoulder, wrist, foot, knee, ankle, hip.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly diabetes mellitus type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examination and review of medical records to determine if ratings in excess of those granted could be awarded due to new evidence showing additional clinical findings and diagnoses relevant to the Veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right knee, left ankle, sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea), left shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to in-service parachute jumps or undiagnosed illnesses/chronic multisymptom illnesses, as well as considering the impact of obesity caused by service-connected disabilities on his current symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating will be remanded so that addendum opinions can address the issues raised by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, residuals of muscle/tendon rotator cuff injury of the left shoulder, and chronic and recurrent strains of the right hamstring.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, neck disability, and foot disability. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional steps, including obtaining missing service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral shoulder disability, hypertension, and headache disability have been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for service-connected lumbar spine strain is granted prior to October 20, 2022. The claim for higher ratings and service connection are all denied.

The appeal of the recoupment of separation pay benefits from VA disability compensation is denied. The dental condition for treatment purposes issue is remanded.