Shoulder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right tibia scar, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the left toe disorder, but remanded other service connection claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, alcohol use disorder, erectile dysfunction, gout, sleep disorders, low back disability, neck disability, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, psychiatric disability, shoulder disabilities, pes planus with neuroma and plantar fasciitis, left foot disability post-surgery, and right knee meniscal tear.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to consider all additional evidence since the last decision in April 2019 and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has vacated the April 5, 2023 decision denying service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left shoulder strain, right knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of flexion have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and associated conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the Veteran's right shoulder disability and right ear hearing loss. The appeal is pending as the Veteran seeks service connection for his right eye disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and knee conditions are granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative joint disease and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to issues with previous examinations and lack of consideration of lay reports regarding delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's statements and medical records indicate that his disabilities may be related to active duty, but further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were not supported by medical evidence linking the disorders to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that this condition began during or was related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder condition existed prior to service and if it was aggravated during service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine condition with sacroiliac weakness and disc disease, and left ankle sprain due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and right shoulder disability have been granted.,Earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for depression disorder (70%) and lumbar spine disability (40%) are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability, which was secondary to a service-connected lumbar disability, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

All appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues.,An effective date of January 26, 2018, has been granted for a 50 percent disability evaluation for headaches.