Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not support a finding of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions are remanded as there were insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various foot, hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant Service Treatment Records, VA treatment records, and other pertinent documents.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for right shoulder dysfunction secondary to a fracture of the midshaft of the right clavicle has been remanded due to procedural issues under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities did not have onset in service or until many years thereafter and are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The issue will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder, right hip, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions, and there is no link between his active duty service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the issue of TDIU from February 17, 2023 is moot due to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder receiving a 100% rating. The claim for TDIU prior to February 17, 2023 is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. Additional development is needed to obtain missing STRs and private medical records, as well as new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The Board has remanded several secondary service connection claims and requests for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete review and the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right clavicle condition, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected MDD with OCD and PTSD. The issues of left shoulder strain and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral foot condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and a compensable disability evaluation for hypertension have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI) based on new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these issues. The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to medications taken for service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before any of the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to identify periods of increased and/or decreased severity resulting from flare-ups. The claims are therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 2, 2018. His full-time employment as a construction worker was above the poverty threshold and not in a protected environment.