Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the etiology of right shoulder conditions that did not preexist active service. A new VA medical opinion is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's right hip and right shoulder disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected right ankle and/or lumbar spine disabilities, with the exception of the right shoulder disability which is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date prior to March 31, 2017 for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected left shoulder strain is denied. The March 2015 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis rotator cuff with degenerative joint disease involving glenohumeral joint, finding that a higher rating than 20 percent is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at an initial 80 percent since June 1, 2008 under DC 5202.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back impairment has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee impairments. The claims for these other conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder conditions, specifically bicipital tendonitis of both right and left shoulders, are related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's contentions regarding his in-service injuries and their impact on his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating, earlier effective date, and TDIU due to new evidence indicating a worsened disability picture. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the left shoulder surgical scars and left groin scars.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, scars associated with the condition, and Crohn's disease are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is remanded due to a need for new examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected scars is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion and clarification regarding the May 2017 VA examiner's report.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Crohn's disease is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 6, 2018, for the grants of service connection for his bilateral shoulder disabilities were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date under the law was February 6, 2015, for the left shoulder and left humerus disabilities due to the Veteran's original claim being filed more than one year after separation from active service. For the right shoulder and right humerus disabilities, June 6, 2018, is the earliest effective date under the law.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to additional development and addendum opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis, liver condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition (including frostbite residuals), right foot condition (including frostbite residuals), and swollen and painful joints have all been granted. A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for the right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 50 percent level prior to January 24, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of additional VA treatment records.