Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's statements about his in-service duties and symptoms.

The Board has denied an increased rating for left thumb tenosynovitis and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding whether his left shoulder condition is secondary to his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The claims for blurred vision, right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left hand disabilities, periodontal disease, bilateral pes planus, unequal leg length, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and bilateral elbow and wrist scars were all denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder), bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder) due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a bilateral shoulder disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claims and the appeals were not properly perfected.

The Board has determined that the criteria for an earlier effective date have not been met for PTSD, left knee condition, right knee condition, or left shoulder condition. The Veteran's conditions were already rated at their maximum levels under applicable disability codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the diabetes mellitus, umbilical hernia, and right eyelid condition issues. The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric condition (including MDD and PTSD) have been granted.,Issues related to spastic duodenal bulb, asthma, bilateral hips, bilateral feet, hiatal hernia, bilateral knees, skin condition, left finger, bilateral elbows, bilateral hands, malaria symptoms, lazy esophageal sphincter, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, ischemic colitis, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), diverticulitis, low back, and neck conditions have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as service connection for a right shoulder condition and neck condition. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has worsened, and the current assigned rating does not accurately reflect its severity. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the extent of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left wrist condition, low back condition, left leg condition, and left ankle condition were all denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders due to new evidence added to his file, including service treatment records and hearing testimony. The VA will provide new examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his ankle and shoulder conditions, as well as fatigue and full body pains.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increases, and TDIU due to incomplete review of recent VA treatment records and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder condition secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The evidence shows that the Veteran developed this condition due to punching objects, mainly walls when angry or frustrated as a result of her PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his most recent employment and reason(s) for leaving such.

The Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus were incurred during service. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, bilateral flat foot, right ear hearing loss, tonsil problems, and obstructive sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of his right shoulder condition, nature and etiology of his headaches, forehead scar, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various shoulder, knee, leg, and hand conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of record that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.