Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that it began during active service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and related reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left shoulder injury, including a tear and arthritis of the supraspinatus interstitial tendon and AC joint, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral foot arthrosis (interphalangeal and first metatarsophalangeal joints) are granted as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and insufficient medical evidence to link it to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder condition has been reopened, but the Board finds no evidence of a current disability and thus denies this claim.,Service connection was denied for right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, right hip, and left hip conditions due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and bilateral knee conditions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use. The case is now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee instability and has remanded the issue of service connection for right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities have been rated as 10% each since the appeal began, with a minimum compensable rating of 20% effective May 23, 2016. The Board found no evidence to support increased ratings under any criteria.,Effective May 23, 2016, VA policy required assignment of a 20% rating for painful motion in the shoulders, but there was no additional or increased range of motion limitations sufficient to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his Gulf War-related conditions, including bilateral knee and shoulder issues, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, respiratory condition, GERD, bilateral hip conditions, and bilateral hand conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to toxic substances in Southwest Asia during his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development are not sufficient to make a decision on the claims for increased ratings and effective dates. The Veteran's symptoms of flare-ups, cold weather impact, and right shoulder numbness need to be addressed in future examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD rating, service connection for lumbar strain, and right shoulder disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Lowell Vet Center and scheduling a VA examination to address his claimed psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo additional medical examinations and provide any necessary authorization for private records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic ear pain, sleep apnea, a rash, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, neck condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hand condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral wrist condition are all denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not support that any of these conditions began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right finger disorder, and left finger disorder due to deficiencies in the examination reports provided by the VA examiners. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations and obtain opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disorders.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings for left shoulder disability and restless leg syndrome as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to an in-service injury while playing football, and thus grants service connection for this condition.