Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2009, to December 31, 2011, and from January 1, 2013, to October 1, 2019. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in finding that his service-connected disabilities alone resulted in unemployability during these periods.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board finds insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders and right shoulder and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and the Veteran did not waive AOJ review. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to deficiencies in the November 2023 VA medical opinion, which did not address whether VA treatment caused additional disability. The case will be returned for a new addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding presumptive service connection for arthritis of the AC joint. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently diagnosed, and there are records showing in-service treatment for left shoulder pain.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and tear with osteoarthritis, was found to be at least as severe as the current 20 percent rating prior to October 12, 2022. For the period beginning October 12, 2022, a higher rating of 30 percent is granted. The Veteran's chronic left wrist sprain continues to warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder impingement and cervical strain prior to June 17, 2022 due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations. The Veteran's functional limitations need to be assessed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA), headache condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current shoulder and toe disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for further examination of his toe disabilities.

The Board has remanded five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, and hip disabilities, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. The VA will obtain addendum opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions were also denied. The decision does not provide a specific rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's appeal of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right shoulder disability was withdrawn by the attorney, resulting in dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a new VA examination for his service-connected disabilities, and consideration of all evidence added since the last adjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for right ankle/foot and left ankle/foot conditions, but these are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in November 2023.,Service connection will be adjudicated based on the newly obtained STRs.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of a left shoulder condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all issues related to service connection have been closed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck disability and her service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The VA must obtain complete treatment records from her National Guard/Reserve service and provide an addendum opinion on the etiology of her neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pharyngitis, and thrombophlebitis have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder pain. A new addendum opinion is needed.