Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hypertension and left wrist disability. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's disabilities include musculoskeletal issues, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, lung conditions, headaches, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, kidney conditions, eye conditions, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability, neck disability, and increased rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood are being remanded. The claim for service connection is reopened due to new evidence received since the May 2012 rating decision. For the period prior to May 20, 2020, his adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 50%. From May 20, 2020, it warrants a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent and increased to 30 percent effective January 24, 2020. The issues of service connection for left foot disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right shoulder impingement condition is being remanded due to insufficient evidence from the previous VA examination and failure to appear at the scheduled June 2018 examination.

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia, bilateral upper extremity numbness with loss of shoulder range of motion, and right lower extremity numbness.,The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with undiagnosed illnesses or MUCMI (multisymptom chronic illness).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability (including below the knee amputation), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The specific nature and etiology of these conditions will need to be addressed through further examination and opinion.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 10, 2018, due to service-connected depressive disorder. He also qualified for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for TBI, increased ratings for left ankle and shoulder disabilities. The current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder condition and left shoulder condition due to lack of current disability. Service connection for metatarsalgia is remanded as the Veteran's claim requires a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right bicipital tendon tear, right rotator cuff tendinitis, and AC right shoulder joint osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are attributable to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in July 1971.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period prior to June 1, 2015, excluding periods of temporary total ratings for his right knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection for a respiratory disability is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for left elbow, insomnia (claimed as mental health disorder), and gastrointestinal disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder are denied. A temporary total evaluation due to right elbow surgery is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and tinnitus for further development. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that there was no evidence of chronicity of care or treatment related to these conditions during active duty or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that there was no causal relationship between the current diagnoses and service.