Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and the Veteran's history of homelessness. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and exposure to CARC.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is due to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's hip disability, including a secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including as due to exposure to CARC, is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the May 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is related to his service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy, claimed as a right shoulder disability, is granted compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the January 2014 fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of a right neck mass at Martinez VA Medical Center.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left side buttock injury, lower back joint pain, and left shoulder rotator cuff injury and pain. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for TDIU prior to April 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 25, 2017. The Board granted TDIU prior to June 4, 2018, but dismissed the claim as moot after that date due to the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability and right shoulder disability due to incomplete records, unclear medical opinions, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service or her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and temporary total rating due to treatment for the right shoulder disability, as they are inextricably intertwined. The remand includes obtaining an addendum medical opinion from an orthopedics specialist.

Your service connection claims for a left shoulder disability and a left knee disability have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought are now fully granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability and whether the Veteran's current radiculopathy is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating from October 14, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and he has a current diagnosis of hypertension. The gastrointestinal condition (IBS and GERD) and psychiatric disability are not service connected. Right knee, left knee, right shoulder, low back, and left middle finger conditions remain on appeal.,Further evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, psychiatric disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and secondary service connection for alcohol abuse disorder as secondary to PTSD is also granted.,The effective date of February 25, 2011 for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claims for bilateral knee disorders are reopened.,Increased ratings for right shoulder disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. Increased rating for low back disability is also remanded.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, and neck disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remands.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right arm and shoulder disability, which is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's joint pain and arthritis are related to his service, specifically fuel exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, right shoulder disability (manifested by pain), left elbow disability (manifested by pain with numbness), and right elbow disability (manifested by pain with numbness).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back disability and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to attend VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again without requiring an in-person examination, and a new VA opinion will be obtained regarding the nature and etiology of each claimed condition.