Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, and right hand disability. Service connection was denied for the right elbow disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at the minimum levels (20% and 30%, respectively), with no evidence of residuals that would warrant higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and left shoulder disability. The issues of service connection are being reviewed again due to insufficient information in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including stroke disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, speech disorder, left arm disability (including forearm disability), and left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm scar is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service connected. The left hip disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's July 1999 service and an examination to assess his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction due to a prior grant in November 2022. The appeal regarding a rating increase for right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The claims file was updated with recent treatment records, and the Veteran was asked to provide a new VA Form 21-8940 and release of medical information.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for a left arm disability is denied, and the claims for right knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, a sinus disability due to asbestos exposure, right and left shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The remand is due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis are all rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if higher ratings can be assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient information about the specific periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Clarification is needed before further action can be taken.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, but the claims for rib and right shoulder disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is still necessary prior to the adjudication of the current appeal for service connection claims related to knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a migraine headache. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to submit necessary authorizations to obtain private medical records and attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, right shoulder disability, and sinusitis are all found to have onset during service and are therefore granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's gastroenteritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion based on the provided records and assuming the Veteran's lay assertions are true.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied, and his request for an increased rating for right foot disability was granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is restored to a 30 percent disability rating, effective July 1, 2018. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).