Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a bilateral ankle disability, both diagnosed to include arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder, elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and left knee injuries due to new evidence submitted by VA, but not reviewed by the AOJ. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, rectal bleeding, a right shoulder condition, and a neck condition. The decision is based on the evidence showing that right ear hearing loss is related to service, while left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's left shoulder disability to his military service. The VA will need to obtain updated medical records, including those from IU Health Physicians, and schedule a new examination for the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, and his claims for service connection for left wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a neck disability are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder tendonitis with acromioclaviculare joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on A&A or TDIU due to his ability to work and maintain employment.

The Board has vacated the August 2022 decision and remanded three issues: service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, service connection for a lumbosacral spine condition, and entitlement to TDIU. The remaining issue of service connection for a prostate condition was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of adequate reasoning and bases regarding the theory of service connection based on in-service vaccinations. The VA is required to obtain opinions from an appropriate examiner regarding the etiology of his COPD, sleep apnea, gall bladder removal, inguinal hernia, knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a separate rating of 20 percent from February 7, 2021 for repaired complete ligament tear causing persistent instability that requires a walker. The claims for increased ratings prior to March 15, 2016 and from March 15, 2016 are denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition began during or was caused by his active service, including periods of ACDUTRA, and if it is related to a service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began. The VA Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, as it did not meet the criteria for ankylosis or recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for GERD, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Shoulder Disability, and Low Back Disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature of his disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's pulmonary emboli, hypertension, stroke residuals, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurologic symptomatology, unspecified neurodegenerative disease, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded for further review due to potential exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, right shoulder issues, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and left knee chondromalacia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 21, 2006. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as 10 percent disabling since August 20, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right shoulder disorders and left and right hip disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the procedural course of the Veteran's appeal is at issue and remands the case for further action, including issuance of a Statement of the Case.