Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ALS, a blood problem due to herbicide exposure, DM II, and arthritis of multiple joints. The Veteran's claims are not supported by current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to secure an adequate etiology opinion regarding the claimed conditions, specifically addressing whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cardiovascular condition claimed as hypertension and migraine due to unclear factual premises in previous opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating, his bilateral flatfoot and left shoulder condition do not meet the criteria for service connection, and there was insufficient evidence to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in a previous VA examination, and it is requested that another addendum opinion be provided.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. The Veteran is now in receipt of a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 20% disability rating for right shoulder tendonitis, finding no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in the severity of the condition within one year prior to the Veteran's June 19, 2018 claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 16, 2013. All service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for the left shoulder condition and temporary total rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no medical evidence supporting this theory.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left shoulder and left humerus disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence regarding functional loss caused by pain.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits or DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left shoulder strain and costochondritis have been granted, with the right thigh strain evaluation being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for residuals of a dislocated left shoulder, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified in-service stressor or injury leading to these conditions.

An effective date of October 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Board dismissed the issue regarding the propriety of reducing ratings for bilateral wrist CTS. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was denied an increased rating, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. The Veteran's right ankle DJD was also denied an increased rating due to lack of marked limitation of motion. The Veteran's right wrist CTS was denied increased ratings since April 1, 2014, and November 1, 2014.,The Board found no evidence of marked limitation of motion in the ankle or shoulder that would warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The appellant's appeals for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, secondary to sleep apnea, and a dental, oral, and gum condition (including numbness of the chin and lip).