Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized arthralgias in multiple joints is being remanded due to insufficient examination data and the need for clarification on multi-joint disability assessment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability to support service connection. The Veteran's symptoms were noted in service but did not persist post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and arm disabilities, bilateral hand disabilities, and residuals of a head injury. The remand requires an addendum opinion to address whether any diagnosed pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated by service or had its onset during service.

The appeal for service connection for right median sensorimotor neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, left and right shin splints, cataracts, deviated septum, depression, a right elbow disorder, and a heart disorder has been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding her duty status during service. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is related to his combat service and granted service connection. The claim for chronic sinusitis (including respiratory disabilities) is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left upper extremity disabilities, including as secondary to a cervical spine disability, are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's low back condition and left shoulder condition are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's chronic stomach condition (claimed as residuals of appendix removal) and GERD are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is remanded for a VA opinion regarding its preexistence in service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot conditions. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has found that the matter must be remanded again for substantial compliance with the previous remand. The Veteran's VA Mountain Home Health Care records from November 2003 to October 2017 are missing, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on how the Veteran's medications for her service-connected shoulder disabilities affect her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied across multiple conditions, including shoulder impingement syndromes, psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal issues, and metabolic conditions. The Board found no evidence to support the requested higher ratings or service connections.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right shoulder and ankle disabilities, and hypertension, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing direct service connection or other theories.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder claim has been reopened and granted service connection.,Service connection for her left foot plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board found that the current symptoms are related to service.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an examination to determine if any right or left shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities. However, it granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of motion from May 7, 2018. A separate rating of 30 percent is assigned for humerus impairment as of July 26, 2022. The TDIU claim is granted effective from July 26, 2022.