Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for temporary total ratings based on surgery necessitating convalescence for his service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as the appeal for a TDIU prior to November 6, 2020, have all been dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran or his attorney.

The Veteran's claim for high cholesterol is denied as it does not represent a disability for which service connection can be granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been remanded on multiple issues due to inadequate opinions and need for updated examinations considering toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to consider alternate theories of entitlement. Service connection is denied for myofascial pain syndrome due to lack of specific symptoms not already compensated. The issue of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome is also remanded with a request for an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's in-service imaging and his reports of left hip pain during service. Right shoulder disability and skin conditions are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Left Shoulder Disorder, GERD, and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings higher than 10 percent each for right and left knee strain require additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed as the RO granted it in a March 2021 rating decision. The remaining claims of service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, hand, knee and shoulder disabilities. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding current diagnoses and continuity of symptoms since service, these issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for dizziness, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's dental condition for treatment purposes is being remanded due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for the skin disability remains denied as there are no compensable conditions found. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms warrant an increased rating.,The claim for left arm scars is inextricably intertwined with the skin disability claim and will also be remanded.,PTSD and depression claims remain pending due to insufficient evidence of service connection or exposure to Gulf War toxins.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms meet criteria for a diagnosis of depression.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for joint pain of the ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists due to his failure to report for a necessary examination without good cause. The available evidence did not support a conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. The decision notes that an addendum medical opinion is needed due to the inadequacy of the previous Medical Opinion DBQ.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability prior to December 16, 2015 and from March 1, 2016, as well as entitlement to a separate compensable rating for right shoulder scars. The AOJ is instructed to secure the Veteran's complete VA treatment records, refer the claims file to an examiner for preparation of addendum opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and the nature and etiology of his reported right upper extremity symptoms, and take any other necessary action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 3, 2014 for a temporary total evaluation for right shoulder degenerative joint disease. The decision also implicitly denied his claim for a temporary total evaluation for surgery conducted on November 23, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's TBI, migraine headache disorder, and left foot disability are remanded for further development.

Your appeal for service connection of bilateral knee, shoulder, and foot disabilities has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis, left shoulder strain with DJD, impingement, tendinopathy, and bursitis, and inguinal hernia were all found to be service-connected. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective July 5, 2017. The claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The left knee strain, TBI residuals, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities were not granted as service-connected.