Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's headache, right foot, and left foot disabilities are found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of a sleep disability other than sleep apnea in the record.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted for the period from November 1, 2019, but not prior to that date. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran could secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome and left shoulder arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease within one year after service or any other basis for granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements regarding an injury during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for left ankle, left shoulder, acid reflux, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for lumbar spine conditions, radiculopathies, shoulder conditions, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at the highest allowable under the rating criteria, and her right shoulder condition does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, left ankle disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral legs are all granted as service-connected.,There is no specific rating assigned or effective date provided in this decision.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder bursitis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a claim for an increased rating for total left knee replacement. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the inextricability of these issues.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for surgical scars, right shoulder surgery is denied.,The assignment of a separate rating for painful scars of the right shoulder combined with painful scars of the bilateral feet as of June 26, 2013, is proper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for recurring facial rash. The cases of right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination for left shoulder conditions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his left shoulder condition is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding that these disabilities had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder incorporates the Veteran's insomnia.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lateral epicondylitis/ulnar entrapment of right elbow and tendonitis of the right shoulder are denied due to lack of additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a failure to address VA treatment records, duty to assist, and consideration of lay statements regarding symptomatology. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is secondary to his service-connected right wrist sprain.

Your appeal of the service connection claims for left shoulder and back disabilities has been dismissed because your authorized representative withdrew the appeals before a decision was made.

The Veteran's colonic polyps are granted service connection, with a current disability rating of at least 10% under DC 7319.,Service connection for the undiagnosed illness characterized by pain of shoulders, knees, fingers, and toes is granted from August 10, 2022. The claim prior to this date was denied due to lack of manifestation to a degree of 10% or more.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of VA treatment records.