Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, and new evidence submitted since the April 2008 decision is considered cumulative or redundant.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain additional evidence and schedule the Veteran for examinations to provide a more definitive opinion on whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from February 28, 2018. The ratings for left knee extension and flexion are denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder condition, but these issues are being remanded due to deficiencies in the associated VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his knee, hip, shoulder, and lumbar conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests through his representative in January 2022.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches has been dismissed.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at no more than 20 percent from June 1, 2014 to November 24, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, all of a common etiology, have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since April 3, 2021. The Board is granting TDIU effective April 3, 2021, but remanding the issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, back disorder (claimed as thoracic spine disorder), right shoulder disorder, residuals of a head injury, BUE numbness, and BLE numbness. The claims were reopened due to new and material evidence received since the final denial in 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left shoulder conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and assessments.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the current condition is causally related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disability should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the service connection for left shoulder labral and rotator cuff tear s/p arthroscopic repair. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's left shoulder disorder was aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity disabilities, including radiculopathy and rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder, have resulted in functional impairment equivalent to loss of use since July 18, 2014. The Board has granted an effective date of July 18, 2014 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for adding his dependent children and spouse, finding that he did not meet the legal requirements for common law marriage in Texas. The Veteran was granted service connection for various disabilities but had a combined disability rating of at least 30% from March 13, 2019, which is when he became eligible for dependency awards.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability and hepatitis residuals have been dismissed. The claim for MDD prior to February 21, 2020 has been granted. The issues of left hip disability and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar strain and a left shoulder condition due to procedural errors, including failing to provide an examination with a VA clinician prior to issuing a decision.