Shoulder decisions — 2023

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, specifically obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability prior to October 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also being asked for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his right shoulder disorder and nerve impingement. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical records and a thorough review of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The appeal regarding earlier effective date for SMC based on the loss of use of bilateral feet, and claims for service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, and bilateral shoulder conditions are pending and will be remanded. Claims for increased disability evaluations for left buttock and hip condition and right buttock and hip conditions based on flexion, abduction, and/or extension are also pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's nerve damage to his right shoulder/arm is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of the June 2022 rating decision.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been denied as no new and relevant evidence has been received to support the claims. The appeal for bilateral feet disabilities is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the previously denied service connection claims for left foot, right foot, left shoulder, right shoulder, and left knee conditions. These matters are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left shoulder disabilities due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for skin issues, lumbar and thoracic spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address whether his claimed disabilities are related to service, particularly given his in-service exposures and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board has remanded the case to consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand all the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for new examinations or medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of records. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted, but her other musculoskeletal disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support an in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are rated at 30 percent since June 11, 2021. The right shoulder tendonitis is rated at 30 percent from November 23, 2020 to January 24, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU beginning March 16, 2018. The right shoulder disorder and left wrist disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral foot disorders are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that it had its onset during active service and is etiologically related to his military service.