Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for various wrist, ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in January 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, unspecified circulation disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders due to incomplete evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left shoulder disorders, as secondary to service-connected bilateral upper extremity cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records support her claim.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a compensable rating for headaches because the Veteran's substantive appeal did not perfect an appeal for these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his kidney stones are proximately due or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining if the Veteran's kidney stones have been aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit.,The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome has also been granted as a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities caused or aggravated his current right shoulder disability. The case is now pending for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The right lower extremity disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including whether it was incurred in service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and labral injury, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during active service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of his PTSD rating and service connection claims is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims for various skeletal system disorders, knee disabilities, thumb disability, hand disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disability, hip disability, and shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including a left shoulder disability and multiple sclerosis. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as nightmare disorder, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are both granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diabetic retinopathy, and status post acromioclavicular separation of the right shoulder are all granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized joint disability, including right knee arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral elbow condylitis, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, and left wrist Quervain's syndrome. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spine, knee, shoulder, and sense of smell disabilities due to new evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a right knee disability, reflux esophagitis, head injury, dysphagia, and a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because some of the issues have new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to a remote most recent examination. The Veteran will need more current examinations to assess their current level of disability.