Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied. The initial ratings for PTSD are granted at 70 percent since July 18, 2013 and the TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2013. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing information about the qualifications of the VA examiners who examined him.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability other than the residual foreign body in his axilla is denied. However, he was granted service connection for the residual foreign body in his right axilla.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is service-connected. The Board found that the current right shoulder condition was proximately caused by his service-connected left shoulder disorder.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is service-connected. The Board found that it may be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement and degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for testicular atrophy, urinary incontinence, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their onset and progression.

The Board has vacated the January 6, 2023 decision and dismissed the appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to the issuance of the decision.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected, with the cause being an in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for left shoulder and ankle disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.,An initial compensable rating for IBS prior to October 29, 2018, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, back, and left leg disabilities have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for psychiatric disability (depression).

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is being remanded for further evaluation and additional evidence collection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 30% rating effective August 26, 2022. The left shoulder and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder were each granted separate 20% ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including service connection claims and a rating for left foot conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded these issues back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and medical opinion to determine this. The case is therefore being sent back for additional evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, specifically for right elbow limitation of supination or pronation associated with right elbow bursitis. The RO should consider these issues and provide an SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a cervical spine condition, but has remanded the cases of bowel incontinence and headache condition due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral shoulder arthritis and hemorrhoids, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the competency of the VA examiners and a need for additional information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.