Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a connection to his military service.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability are both denied due to lack of in-service injury, illness or event.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was denied, while his psychiatric disability, hearing loss, lung disability, hypertension, left leg disability, CVA residuals, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pneumonia has been dismissed as the claim was recharacterized and granted in a previous rating decision.,Service connection for heart arrhythmia is denied. The Board found that there is no persuasive weight of evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate nexus opinions and incomplete development of in-service stressor and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, left shoulder disability, and left ankle disability due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The right shoulder disability and TDIU issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate October 2021 VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptomatology need to be addressed by new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for cancerous warts, left arm and shoulder pain, erectile dysfunction, and fibromyalgia as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding obesity, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and low back condition. The Veteran's representative asserts that his asthma causes or aggravates these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to outstanding medical records from a correctional facility where the Veteran was incarcerated. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded as secondary to the low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as he withdrew all remaining issues associated with his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, but the cases of right wrist and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back pain muscle spasm, periscapular muscle myofascitis of the left shoulder, and bilateral foot bunions due to potential missing service treatment records from Germany. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and provide additional opinions regarding the relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether withholding of retroactive VA compensation effective March 2008 to January 2012 was proper. The issues of service connection for a left eye disability, initial disability rating for lumbar spine disability in excess of 10 percent prior to November 29, 2010; and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, initial disability rating for left shoulder disability in excess of 20 percent, and initial disability rating for right foot disability in excess of 10 percent are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and right elbow conditions due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions. The case is sent back for a supplemental opinion, including an additional VA examination if needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and thus his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20% since April 27, 2011 and from November 1, 2013. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not cooperate with the VA examinations and failed to provide medical records, resulting in a lack of sufficient evidence to decide his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and psychiatric disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder injury.