Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for lumbar strain and right shoulder strain, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as depression). The Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling due to limitation of motion not reaching midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and asthma, due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any neck, shoulder, and sciatic disabilities. The Veteran is required to appear for an examination or provide a records-review medical opinion if she does not.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted. The claims for service connection for a mental disorder and right shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The appeal as to service connection for hypercholesterolemia is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the previously denied claim of service connection for lumbar strain has been reopened. Service connection for a low back disability (including lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis/degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is granted.

The Veteran's initial 10% disability ratings for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis were granted, with the effective date being December 1, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining service treatment records and a VA medical opinion, which could impact the determination of whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ is also required to readjudicate the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are granted service connection.,Service connection for a headache disability is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Board is unable to make a decision on these matters without further evidence.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims for the Veteran due to duty-to-assist errors and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, bilateral pes cavus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board denied his claims for increased ratings as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings, finding that an earlier effective date is not warranted based on the September 1, 2022 intent to file form received by VA.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, wrist, and knee conditions. The effective dates for granting service connection are denied.