Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and a right shoulder disorder. The left shoulder disorder claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the AOJ failing to comply with prior Board directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the October 2021 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle problems as well as migraine due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's representative contends that there is evidence of record supporting his claim, but this evidence was submitted after the 90-day period where new evidence could be considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain, and depression as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his psychiatric disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder bursitis and denied service connection for right shoulder bursitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The decision is based on evidence in equipoise regarding left shoulder bursitis, but against a finding of service connection for right shoulder bursitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities due to duty to assist errors. VA examinations are required to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as service connection for bilateral leg and shoulder disorders are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The RO must schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder tendonitis) render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected, while his left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition, heart condition, migraines, left foot condition, and left shoulder condition. The VA will provide a new examination in each case.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for tinnitus and a bilateral shoulder condition as they were not timely filed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The claim for a painful scar from a left hand/wrist laceration is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no persuasive evidence that any of these conditions began during active duty or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and left shoulder disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding inadequate opinions in the March 2020 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and plantar fasciitis are service-connected, while his right ear hearing loss is not.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they have become moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain with impingement and tension headaches due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring new VA opinions.