Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, amyloidosis, right knee disability, left knee disability, left shoulder strain, and left hand degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has been received that may support the existence of current lung conditions and exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection for a lung condition and amyloidosis are reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, higher initial ratings for his left shoulder and right knee disabilities, and a determination of whether obesity related to his service-connected conditions was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed all appeals of the veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of those appeals.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, right knee disabilities (post-prosthetic replacement and prior), left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability. The TDIU claim is also on appeal for a period prior to March 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The claim is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left shoulder scar, and sinusitis due to outstanding records and a need for further examination. The Veteran will have an opportunity to present additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, effective April 1, 2023. These disabilities are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected loss of use of both feet and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be scheduled for a VA examination assessing his right shoulder condition, including imaging of the shoulder. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's claimed right shoulder condition is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA records and requests for non-VA treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20% prior to July 10, 2023, and at 40% thereafter.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records from July 2021 to present and private treatment records from Tulane. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed to determine if it was caused by or made worse by VA treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for lumbar strain and separated acromioclavicular joint (AC) of the right shoulder have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are not specified.,Issues related to rating increases and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to address continuity of symptoms and etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's VA examiner provided negative nexus opinions, and the Board is requesting additional information about the qualifications of this examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder condition and sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for arthritis of the bilateral feet, bilateral hearing loss disability, and respiratory disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several service connection claims, including for bilateral eye disability, psychiatric disorder, OSA, hypertension, cervical spine, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability (CTS), right wrist disability (CTS), left lower extremity disability (residuals of left femur fracture), gout, sinus disability (sinusitis), breathing disability (allergic rhinitis), colon cancer, colon polyps, hemorrhoids, and H. Pylori infection (claimed as stomach disability). These claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there are incomplete records and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral foot condition are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.