Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's flat feet disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis (flat feet), is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The examiner noted that the in-service training did not cause or aggravate her current back condition.,The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected based on in-service incidents.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various right hand, wrist, ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of functional loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an upper back (cervical spine) disability, finding that there was no persuasive evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and hip disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's representative raised a new theory of entitlement that his claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected back and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and shoulder disorders have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The claim for esinophillic esophagitis with dysphagia remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition and bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has ordered additional evidentiary development for the Veteran's increased rating claims and TDIU claim due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims are being remanded until such evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate attempts at scheduling a VA examination and failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as he is employed and has provided no evidence to support his claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The claims for left collar bone impairment, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and right elbow olecranon bursitis with arthritis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's obesity or his other service-connected conditions caused him to become obese and aggravated his obesity.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (not including PTSD). The case is remanded for further development regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left shoulder disability was rated at 20% since November 18, 2005, but the Board found no evidence of motion limited to 25 degrees from side, which would warrant a higher rating. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition did not meet the schedular criteria for an increased rating prior to January 29, 2021, and after that date, it was also denied. The TDIU claim was denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities during the relevant period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and left shoulder condition (post left acromioplasty with slight separation at acromioclavicular joint).

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 80 percent for breast cancer residuals has been denied. The highest possible rating (80%) is currently assigned, and the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including left shoulder, left hip, bilateral knee (right knee osteoarthritis specifically), and bilateral ankle conditions. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability was granted. Service connection for this condition as secondary to his right knee disability is also granted. However, the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to a right knee disability remains remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.