Shoulder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities due to exposure in the Persian Gulf. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional medical records, including those from private physicians and workers' compensation providers, and to ensure all duty-to-assist errors are corrected.

The Veteran's competency is restored, he is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and his rating for migraines is increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability has not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 16, 2018. From October 16, 2018, the disability does prevent him from doing so.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a rating increase for a left shoulder disability due to outstanding medical records that need to be considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development regarding potential exposure to PFAS firefighting foam and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinion and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder conditions due to a lack of an examination, and requests that any evidence not considered in the previous decision be reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the disability ratings for left shoulder strain and left ankle strain with instability.

The Board has denied service connection for sciatica and remanded the claim for a right shoulder disorder. The decision on the right shoulder disorder is pending, with a new VA medical opinion needed to substantiate the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and neck condition due to lack of evidence showing a link between current disabilities and service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent evaluation, effective December 2, 2021. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain and left knee strains are both denied any increase in ratings. The Veteran's meningitis and urine leakage as a residual of meningitis are granted increased evaluations. Special monthly compensation for housebound status and TDIU based on single service-connected disability are granted. An earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 USC chapter 35 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical spine condition, and right shoulder condition due to duty-to-assist errors in prior medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and a higher rating for his left shoulder impingement syndrome is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and potential missing STRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding STRs and provide a new examination with an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendinopathy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as his range of motion was not limited to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes strain and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion remains limited to 70 degrees at worst.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including a need for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right shoulder disability secondary to service-connected hypertensive vascular disease.