Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural errors and insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and any related sleep disorder need to be evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and need for clarification on whether a left shoulder disorder is currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee disability secondary to hypertension, right shoulder disability secondary to hypertension, and low back disability (narrowing of the disc space L4-L5 with degenerative changes at L5-S1) secondary to hypertension due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, to include arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain, and psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck disability and its relationship to her service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity disability. The issues of reopening claims for service connection for headaches, right upper extremity disabilities, and left shoulder disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. Further development is needed to obtain an adequate opinion based on the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis was denied, but the Board granted service connection for his left arm 'Popeye' deformity as due to his service-connected left shoulder arthritis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 28, 2021 and at 60 percent since December 1, 2022. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to new evidence showing current diagnoses and a causal relationship to active service. The effective date remains March 28, 2016, as this is when VA received the claim leading to the award of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right shoulder bicipital tendonitis has been rated at 40 percent since May 20, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating as the disability does not warrant an increase to more than 40 percent.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim for HIV. The claims of service connection for neck, low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder tendonitis was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The claims include right shoulder Bankart repair, lumbar spine spondylosis, sciatic nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve impairment radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residual scar of dorsal column stimulator.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted under the PACT Act, which provides presumptive service connection due to exposure to burn pits. The claims for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities due to a lack of service medical records. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran had pre-existing left shoulder and back disabilities, but needs further clarification on whether these conditions were aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for right wrist, right hand, and left shoulder conditions due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 19, 2009 did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Specifically, his right shoulder disability remains at a 40 percent rating, while left knee and TBI issues are pending.