Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded both claims for the RO to provide a VA examination and obtain additional records. The Veteran's left shoulder disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a causal nexus between service and his current condition, while the right knee chondromalacia claim requires an updated VA examination in compliance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left foot, right foot, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical records from the Veteran's active duty period. The claims are being reviewed based on the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service symptoms and continuity since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, back disability, and rhinitis due to additional development being required. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating from January 1, 2021, is denied. A temporary total rating for convalescence following his surgery in October 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a rating of 30 percent prior to May 10, 2022. From July 1, 2023, the Veteran is granted a rating of 50 percent for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions from a different examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings for various muscle residuals status post rhabdomyolysis due to inadequate range of motion findings in his neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and feet. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these necessary examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected left shoulder strain was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met or approached the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for a left-hand disability, other than peripheral neuropathy, was also denied as there was no established link to service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,For the entire rating period prior to November 13, 2023, the Veteran's right knee subluxation warrants a 20 percent disability evaluation.,Since November 13, 2023, the Veteran's right knee subluxation is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right shoulder glenohumeral joint instability (major) and dislocation (major) are both currently rated at 20 percent.,There is no service connection for any exposure basis or PACT Act.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, right shoulder disability, and PTSD due to lack of recent examinations and treatment records. The matters are also remanded for further efforts to obtain SSA earnings information and a new VA Form 21-8940.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's assertions about in-service injuries were not supported by STRs or other medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hip disability as secondary to bilateral knee disability.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various shoulder, wrist, ankle, and spine disorders. The claim for a headache disorder was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Secondary service connection was granted for migraine headaches related to PTSD. Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder impingement and scars were found to not warrant higher staged ratings, with the right shoulder receiving a 30 percent rating from February 14, 2023. The left shoulder remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for right shoulder disability. However, the case is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any preexisting right shoulder disability existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and back disabilities are being remanded due to procedural issues. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is also being remanded as the medical opinions provided were deemed inadequate.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate VA medical opinions that failed to address lay evidence or other pertinent medical evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain was granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent effective October 12, 2017.,For the increased rating period from October 12, 2017, both right and left knee strains were granted a 20 percent disability rating.