Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Similarly, the Board found that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied increased ratings for right shoulder disability and median and ulnar nerve impingement of the right upper extremity with right shoulder impingement, finding that the Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, heart disability, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence. The reasons are that the Veteran failed to report to scheduled VA examinations for these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to his service, particularly an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left shoulder condition, headaches, sinus condition, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a sinus condition and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient examination and opinion addressing relevant evidence, including lay statements of in-service injury and VA examination findings.

The Veteran's left shoulder supraspinatus tendinopathy is rated at 30 percent prior to April 20, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right shoulder supraspinatus tendinopathy is rated at 40 percent prior to April 20, 2016 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is being sent back for further development, including obtaining STRs from Reserve service, VA treatment records, and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder numbness, as it is unclear whether this condition is related to his service-connected disabilities or not. The case will be returned for further development and an opinion from a medical professional.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to dental treatment purposes and initial ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left wrist disability, and athlete’s foot are denied.,A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right wrist, left knee, and low back disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain and spondylosis, as well as left shoulder rotator cuff/supraspinatus strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus and right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left-sided neuropathy condition, finding that it began during his active service and is related to in-service chemical exposure. The claim for a chronic sinus disorder was not addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased disability evaluations and service connection. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate his shoulder and back disabilities, as well as a PTSD examination and an evaluation of his claimed tremors.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding ratings and service connection for various foot conditions, shoulder disabilities, and a cervical spine strain. The claims are dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, diagnosed as left shoulder impingement, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and myofascial pain. The right shoulder condition is also granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on worsening symptoms such as bursitis and numbness.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a history of clavicle fracture and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 14, 2020, and 40 percent as of that date. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for degenerative disease of the left shoulder, right shoulder disability, and heart disability is set at June 23, 2011. Service connection for a dental condition is remanded.