Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities, particularly whether they are related to a parachute jump accident during inactive duty training in July 1974.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, bilateral shoulder, and back disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD with additional conditions like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic lumbosacral strain, left elbow epicondylitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder tendonitis, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 19, 2015. The Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU based on his MDD with PTSD alone, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as he withdrew all his pending appeals through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is currently evaluated at 20 percent, effective July 14, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and a right shoulder disorder due to additional development being warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete examination reports, and the need for additional examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's left-shoulder degenerative changes and recurrent dislocation have been rated at 20 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 40 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an increased evaluation for either condition.,The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a keloid scar on the chest and right shoulder disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for prostate disability to include residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder injury and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20%, 30%, and 40% prior to June 6, 2016, from June 6, 2016 to February 4, 2020, respectively. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left acoustic neuroma, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic muscle disability, and squamous cell carcinoma. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, but it also found that there is no current evidence showing a pre-existing condition. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (reopening) while others were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to physical limitations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in March 2020 are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to address all of the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a right shoulder condition. The matter is therefore being remanded for these missing records and for medical opinions based on a complete factual history.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of continuous pain symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence supports an etiological link to active duty service.