Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder. The Veteran's testimony indicates ongoing pain from his service-connected conditions contributing to depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her right shoulder disability was denied due to her failure to report for a necessary VA examination without providing good cause.

Your claims for service connection for disabilities of your bilateral shoulders and right elbow have been granted. However, the Board has dismissed these appeals as they are no longer relevant due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, left knee disability, and a muscle disorder (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) due to insufficient evidence in the VA examinations provided. The Veteran is also seeking higher ratings for his lumbar strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's request for a TDIU rating since October 23, 2014 is dismissed due to the combined 100% schedular disability rating. For the period before October 23, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is remanded due to new evidence showing chronic back pain since discharge. Other claims are also remanded for VA examinations and opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability remains on appeal and requires further examination to determine the extent of functional impairment throughout the appeal period. The matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 5, 2012 is also remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure, and service connection for COPD is granted. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to new in-service treatment records and a need for an opinion on whether his current conditions are related to military service, including a reported motor vehicle accident.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including fibromyalgia and elbow, shoulder, hand, and ankle conditions. The reasons are that the dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA performed by the Veteran during his service in Bahrain need to be verified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and left shoulder disability due to inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed with a new examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and scars from bilateral shoulder surgery disabilities due to inadequate opinions in prior examinations.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis, as well as his left knee and right knee disorders, are granted service connection. The left shoulder disorder remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently service-connected. The Veteran seeks service connection for her right shoulder condition, but a VA examiner found no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that could have caused her current disabilities.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional examinations to clarify the current severity of his knee and ankle disabilities.,During the December 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran reported experiencing instability in both knees and right ankle, which may require further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of TBI residuals due to additional development being necessary. The issues are related to right shoulder pain and TBI residuals.