Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has received additional VA treatment records since the November 2019 SSOC that are relevant to the issues on appeal. The Veteran's case is being remanded for AOJ initial review of this new evidence and issuance of an SSOC.

The Board has found that new examinations are required to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a record gap from December 2016 to July 2022. The Veteran's GERD disability is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition prior to March 25, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited motion and dislocation.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition from May 1, 2023, met the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, and elbow disorders due to potential exposure to toxic substances during military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. A VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and has ordered additional records to be obtained. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of asthma. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for asthma, and service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. Other claims were remanded due to lack of STRs and Reserves records.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a left knee condition was granted. Service connection is now established for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella. The remaining issues, including those related to the neck, shoulder, sleep deprivation, lung disorder, and neuralgia, are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms, digestive disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The reasons provided include that the Veteran did not serve in Korea and there were no reported symptoms of these conditions during or prior to his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent from April 1, 2014 to February 6, 2021. A TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted starting from February 23, 2015.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability is denied throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service personnel records (SPRs). The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining the SPRs and additional medical opinions are provided.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the back, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability and dizziness due to potential conflicts in medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not competent to diagnose his conditions, and a remand is needed to clarify whether he has a left shoulder disability related to his cervical spine disability and to determine if his dizziness is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the service connection claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, right side broken collarbone, and right arm disorders. The case is REMANDED for further development including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran was awarded SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from January 14, 2004, to January 28, 2011. The Board found that he met the requirements for this benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right hand condition, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and left wrist disability due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider relevant medical literature.,The TDIU claim prior to February 26, 2021 is also remanded as it could significantly impact the other claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right shoulder disability, left foot Morton's neuroma, traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, arthralgia of the left knee, post-concussive syndrome, depressive disorder with post-concussive syndrome (previously rated as personality change due to another medical condition), migraine headaches, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The AOJ is directed to obtain all VA treatment records scanned into VistA Imaging or other repository.