Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders have been dismissed due to the failure to include them in his initial appeal. The Board has remanded several of these issues, including left ankle, left hand, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left foot disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 30, 2009, for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral knee disorder due to a lack of evidence addressing the etiology of these conditions. The VA will provide new examinations and obtain the May 2022 audiogram.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for asthma and left shoulder strain are denied as the October 2015 rating decision is final, no new evidence was received within a year of the decision, and reconsideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c) is not required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports from March 2022 and June 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability and spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service. The Veteran's death prevented consideration of his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for clarification of certain findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service injuries, but VA examiners have found no direct link between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from January 4, 2018 to March 29, 2021. The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left shoulder strain, left ankle sprain, right knee sprain with patellar dislocation, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Further examination is required as the July 2013 VA audiological examination was inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right hand, left hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, chronic symptoms during service, or treatment for these conditions.

The claims for service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted. The claims for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, claimed as full body weakness (including joint weakness), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder disability and his military service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address the opinion provided by Dr. M.M.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, ankle, and right elbow disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in July 2023. The VA is instructed to provide a supplemental opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including those related to a gunshot wound, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.