Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners supported the denial, citing lack of chronicity during or after service and alternative causes such as post-service work activities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to September 13, 2019. From September 13, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no current disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder/arm disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disorders, but finds that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left ankle, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to a request from his representative for information about the qualifications of the VA examiner who provided medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder strain and vitiligo, finding that these conditions are not due to active service but are considered diagnosable medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses (MUCMI).

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of appendectomy are found to have caused her current bowel perforation and associated ileus, which in turn led to joint pain disorders. The appeal is granted for both the bowel perforation and related secondary joint pain disorders.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his left knee disability, stomach disability, respiratory disability (punctured lung), and fractured ribs is being remanded for further examination and analysis.,An effective date earlier than October 23, 2018 for the awards of service connection for left shoulder strain and rib fracture residuals is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various knee, shoulder, elbow, and back disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, low back, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have also been dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 50 percent for his right shoulder disability beginning October 28, 2014. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings prior to and after this date are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the right shoulder service connection claim due to outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran needs to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all relevant medical providers and request their records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as left arm numbness), and left shoulder arthritis.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and medical opinions regarding service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disorders. The Appellant's claims are based on his Reserve duty periods.

The Board has granted service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a right shoulder condition due to service-connected right ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability. The claims for service connection of the left shoulder, cervical spine, back, and right wrist disabilities are remanded due to incomplete verification of service dates and need for additional medical examination in context of combat exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected disabilities was denied. The right thumb disability, right shoulder strain, and right knee meniscectomy were all rated at 10 percent. A higher rating for the right knee instability was not granted, but an earlier effective date of August 11, 2021, was granted for the right knee meniscectomy.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, and hip disabilities. The issues of increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The appeals for service connection of right wrist, hand, and shoulder disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran's claims were granted in a previous decision.