Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a lumbar spine disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings related to alcohol use disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee pain, right shoulder pain, irritable bowel syndrome, hearing loss, and eczema.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for right and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal for service connection for a left shoulder condition was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a direct relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, unspecified joint pain, rectal bleeding, tendonitis, right shoulder disability, or left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including STRs from his National Guard service. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for gastritis and an examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of all foot disorders, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that affect his mobility and require a wheelchair and assistive devices.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder strain, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder scars are currently rated as 20 percent, effective March 16, 2022. The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the entire appeal period prior to March 16, 2022 and denied any increase in rating since that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain and a right shoulder condition, both claimed as secondary to cervical strain. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left arm burn is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation.,Sarcoidosis and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, neck, shoulder, knee, and hip conditions, to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the October 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence, and no disability evaluation in excess of the current ratings is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to incomplete employment information. The RO needs to provide the Veteran with a VA Form 21-8940 and request complete work and income history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and migraine headaches disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The issues are being reviewed again with additional examination and opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that December 1, 1994 is the earliest possible effective date as it was the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions and a neck condition due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, obtain VA examinations, and address secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for kyphosis, left shoulder impairment, and sleep impairment. The Veteran's representative and any other interested parties must be contacted to determine if they still wish to pursue these claims. They should also provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of any in-service left shoulder injury. Additionally, a VA Form 21-8940 with instructions for completion should be provided to the Veteran to determine eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to challenges regarding the competency of the VA examiners and requests for information about their qualifications.