Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and sleep disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a higher rating for service-connected right shoulder disability and TDIU as these matters were already decided by the Board in August 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding non-VA treatment records that were not obtained. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private treatment records from Bend Surgery Center, Providence Health & Service, Total Care/Loyal Care, and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right CTS, which she contends developed as a result of her right shoulder and biceps disabilities. However, the issue of service connection for these shoulder and biceps conditions is pending in another appeal under the AMA system. The Board has decided to remand this case until the AMA claim is resolved.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted. The Board found that the most probative evidence showed that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during his military service and is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issue of service connection for right shoulder radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability was remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of a VA Form 10182, which was not appropriate for his legacy system appeals. The AOJ must issue an SOC and allow the Veteran to file a substantive appeal if he wishes to continue his appeal under the legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chipped tooth has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left bicep tendonitis and rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, right hand condition, right ankle condition, gastrointestinal condition, hemorrhoids, and headaches have all been remanded due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD. The right shoulder and back conditions are remanded due to procedural errors in the reduction of ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for sleep apnea and PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically regarding his low back strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, left clavicle fracture, and other symptoms. The issues are related to determining appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple disabilities, including neck, back, shoulder, and ankle conditions. The issues are related to whether these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by her military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is required to clarify the Veteran's current shoulder conditions and their impact on his range of motion.,The Veteran contends that he should be entitled to higher ratings for his right and left shoulder conditions, which have been rated at 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and failure to obtain VA medical opinions. The Veteran's left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, and traumatic brain injury are all at issue.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder disorder, to include a left shoulder enostosis, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran has an additional disability attributable to his June 2011 vaccination.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability, prostate disability, left arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), right arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.