Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder strain, neck disorder (secondary to left shoulder disability), back disability, and TMJ have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for his left shoulder strain prior to September 20, 2012, and the claim for increased ratings beyond this date has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for the right shoulder disability or a rating higher than 10 percent for either the right ankle or right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following an October 19, 2016, left shoulder surgery until November 18, 2016. The case is remanded to determine if an extension of this rating beyond November 18, 2016, is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and new evidence received during the appeal period. The Veteran's combat service is considered, but further examination is needed to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his left shoulder disabilities has been dismissed as he was granted service connection for a right shoulder disability in February 2021.,His claim for an increased rating of the left shoulder muscle damage (shrapnel wound) is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, hip, wrist, right shoulder and left ankle conditions are granted as direct service connection. The Board finds that these conditions did not manifest during service or are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, hypertrophic gastritis, neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cholelithiasis, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the Veteran's claims were previously adjudicated in a prior appeal.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service-connected.,Headaches secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are denied as not service-connected.,Cervical spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for impairment of the right shoulder clavicle or scapula has been granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder disability was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for prostate cancer and various musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and/or PTSD), sleep disability (including apnea), left hip disability, right hip disability, left leg disability, and right leg disability are all remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to an in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an examination to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and a need for additional evidence. The cervical spine claim is being reconsidered under the AMA framework.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings have been granted, with effective dates of April 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 14, 2014 is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection for depressive disorder with anxious distress, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. The matter will be reconsidered after these claims are resolved.

The Board has remanded both claims for the RO to provide a VA examination and obtain additional records. The Veteran's left shoulder disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a causal nexus between service and his current condition, while the right knee chondromalacia claim requires an updated VA examination in compliance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left foot, right foot, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical records from the Veteran's active duty period. The claims are being reviewed based on the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service symptoms and continuity since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, back disability, and rhinitis due to additional development being required. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating from January 1, 2021, is denied. A temporary total rating for convalescence following his surgery in October 2021 is granted.