Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and a right shoulder disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back pain and strain, left shoulder pain and strain, right shoulder pain and strain, left hand numbness, left hand pain, right hand numbness, right hand pain, and right ankle pain and strain have been granted service connection.,A VA examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of additional limitation in motion.,The Veteran's right knee scar is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's SSN may be incorrect, and a search should be conducted using both correct and incorrect numbers.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The claims for a higher rating on his left knee disability and service connection for his bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 8, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted from June 9, 2016. The Veteran's painful left knee scars are rated at 20 percent since May 8, 2014.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right clavicle disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, right shoulder condition, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The denial of the claim for erectile dysfunction was based on lack of evidence showing it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The denial of the right shoulder condition claim was due to a lack of medical evidence linking the current pain to service. The denial of the pseudofolliculitis barbae claim was because the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, characterized as impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for clarification on his incarceration dates during the appeal period, which may affect eligibility.

The Board has granted a September 1, 2010 effective date for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left shoulder condition.

Service connection has been granted for bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, knee conditions, foot conditions, hip conditions, and ankle conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous examinations.,An earlier effective date claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ratings for cubital tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis. The claims are being returned for further development due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration and an inadequate evaluation of the Veteran's migraines and tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's employment at the Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The decision is pending further action.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for a left shoulder disability is granted at 20 percent prior to September 18, 2013. The appeal regarding the evaluation of his left shoulder disability from September 18, 2013 onwards is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all withdrawn claims of diabetes, right shoulder osteoarthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, coronary artery disease, and a lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and vestibular disorder disabilities due to service. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions.