Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with concussion, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder strain, lumbar spondylosis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and right knee strain, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service or within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with continuity of symptomatology since service. The right-hand disability (claimed as arthritis), right shoulder disability, left hip disability, left arm disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), sciatica of both legs, and dental deformity are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate reasons or bases in its determinations, including addressing whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by dislocation and AC separation, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and an increased rating for his cervical spine disability. The decision also granted a TDIU from November 1, 2011, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred a left shoulder disability in service, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of right shoulder disability, right shoulder muscle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of prior claims within a year of discharge.,The Veteran's initial ratings for the right shoulder conditions (limitation of range of motion and muscle injury) were not increased.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity due to inadequate examinations, duty-to-assist issues, and potential extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a 40% rating effective July 11, 2022. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 30%. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for BPH and bilateral shoulder disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty or herbicide exposure. The denial is based on the lack of a causal relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for his bilateral shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities. The appeals are now pending with the VA Regional Office.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral degenerative arthritis of the AC joint is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left knee disability due to incomplete VA evaluations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these evaluations are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in February 2015.