Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tension headaches are service-connected. The left shoulder disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and treatment records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cough-variant asthma, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left shoulder tendinitis with clavicle fracture, tinnitus, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, residuals of otitis media, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are rated at 70 percent combined from December 2, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these disabilities, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, neurocognitive disorder, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder, has been denied.,The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to missing service treatment records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain and right ankle tendonitis due to insufficient medical opinions provided by VA. The claims are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was denied, and his ratings for cervical spine disability were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, recurrent gastric ulcers, and right shoulder impingement syndrome have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further evaluation is needed.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of a medical nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is now REMANDED to obtain additional development.