Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is advised he must cooperate with the AOJ's efforts to schedule another examination regarding his service connection claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of an adequate statement of reasons or bases, and because it is necessary to obtain medical opinions without requiring the Veteran's in-person presence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right shoulder disability render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, shoulder, hand, knee, and ankle disorders. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and higher ratings to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his service, given that the previous examiner did not apply the correct legal criteria and failed to consider the service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a temporary total rating for convalescence and SMC based on housebound criteria from November 1, 2018, to February 1, 2019. The extension of the rating was granted due to complications following surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, right knee disability, and left shoulder disability due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been withdrawn.,New evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening of claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations of the Veteran's shoulder and spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and requests for TERA examination. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, and kidney infection are not related to his active service or toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA criteria.,PTSD and lumbar spine disability ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, right and left-hand carpal tunnel, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain with partial rotator cuff tear is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no current disability, no in-service event or injury related to the conditions, and no nexus between any condition and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was not manifested by motion limited to midway between side and shoulder level from December 11, 2017 to August 19, 2019, and from February 4, 2020 to May 10, 2023.,For the appeal period from August 20, 2019 to February 3, 2020, his right shoulder disability was manifested by functional equivalent of ankylosis that is consistent with a favorable ankylosis.,As of May 11, 2023, the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not manifested by motion limited to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has granted service connection for systemic skin rashes and chronic, systemic joint pain to multiple joints as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease and tinea pedis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome as these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during active duty.