Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is denied as there was no pending claim prior to August 24, 2017, and the evidence does not show a factually ascertainable increase in service-connected disabilities during the one-year look-back period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability from this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion and potential missing private treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed again for a proper determination of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to aggravation of a pre-existing disorder during active duty training. The claims for hearing loss and varicose veins with ganglion cyst are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder strain with glenohumeral joint instability were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain STRs, conduct additional examinations, and provide addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand, wrist, and right shoulder disabilities due to previous inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's neck and shoulder disabilities are related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection.,For the period prior to December 30, 2019, the Veteran's asthma did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder condition was aggravated by military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's OSA is related to his military service and the appeal for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional VA medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities of the hips, shoulders, knees, and cervical spine are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 29, 2018. Service connection for left shoulder condition and low back condition are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the AOJ decision. The Veteran's right knee and bilateral shoulder disorders are being examined again to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder conditions, as well as the right knee condition (secondary to a service-connected left knee condition) and chronic constipation. The claims for these issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, right hip arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left shoulder disability, and soft tissue sarcoma have been granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability is set at May 19, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including back, right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, and ankle issues. The reasons include a lack of continuity of symptoms post-service and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities were granted, but the effective dates are set to January 4, 2010. The claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are not supported by current medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and TMJ sprain were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was currently assigned.