Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service records show he was treated and operated on for a right shoulder injury in 1965. A VA examiner opined that his current right shoulder disability is less likely related to his military service, but this opinion lacks sufficient rationale. The case is remanded for a new examination to provide an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, left and right shoulder disorders (including arthritis), and a left elbow disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The Veteran's VA and private treatment records indicate current diagnoses but no connection to his military service.

Service connection for dermatitis, left cubital tunnel syndrome, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral thumb disability, right first toe disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left varicocele, and testicle atrophy has been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, nephrolithiasis with hematuria, right knee iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome, allergic rhinitis, right plantar fasciitis, hyperhidrosis, hemorrhoids, and generalized headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied in June 1971 due to failure to report for an examination. The Veteran re-filed his claim on December 17, 1975 and the VA awarded him service connection effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining pre-service medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, post total shoulder arthroplasty, is granted a 50% rating effective November 1, 2016. The Veteran’s left shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are denied for the period prior to November 1, 2016. Service connection for a neck condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating for lumbar spine herniated disc. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not found to be caused by service, while the lumbar spine condition met criteria for a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from tending to his daily activities, thus he does not require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma of the right shoulder, benign skin growths (claimed as a skin ulcer) of the right scapula, kidney cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, cervical spine osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and genitourinary disorder (kidney disease). The decision also noted that the claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder arthritis, residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, and right scapular area scar. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities were denied. The RO found that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent for his left shoulder, 20 percent for his right shoulder, or any level above 20 percent for his low back prior to November 29, 2016. However, he was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for depressive disorder and headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is granted for left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes), residuals of a right eye injury, and unspecified allergy disorder.,Service connection is granted for left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) and right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD).,Service connection is granted for left knee disorder and right knee disorder.,Service connection is granted for left hip disorder and right hip disorder.

Your initial rating for lumbar spine condition has been increased to 40 percent effective October 29, 2014. Your right ankle, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions have each received a 10 percent initial rating effective October 29, 2014.,Your residuals of traumatic brain injury have also been rated as 10 percent disabling effective October 29, 2014.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disorders have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various conditions, including cervical spine disability and atrial fibrillation, were denied. The right shoulder bursitis, right elbow disability, crush injuries to the left hand digits, and right knee medial meniscus tear received compensable disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee disorders, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, tinnitus, lumbar back pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entirety of the appeal period.