Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2011 and from October 1, 2011.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities since at least February 16, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities as well as a heart disability.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional VA medical opinions to address prior range of motion and functional loss due to pain in both knees and shoulders. The appeals are not about service connection, but rather increased ratings.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder strain, broken teeth, and TMJ. Specifically, an addendum medical opinion is required to address whether his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of left shoulder fracture with status post left rotator cuff repair and for TDIU prior to September 15, 2016. The claims are being remanded due to scheduling errors and need further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder traumatic arthritis is rated at a 30 percent effective October 18, 2019. The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 26, 2013 for the increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to lack of available service records. The decision on the other issues remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions due to inadequate VA opinions and failure of the AOJ to reschedule examinations as requested.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right shoulder disability is being remanded due to new evidence received after the February 2019 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during certain periods, warranting a TDIU. However, the Veteran was able to secure and maintain such employment at other times.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Board is seeking more information on the etiology of his skin condition, sinus issues, cervical spine disability, shoulder disabilities, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral hands, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected heart condition was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and genitourinary system disability were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination for his right shoulder disorder and reviewing all relevant treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his service-connected conditions, as well as the need to determine if any disorders are without conclusive pathophysiology or etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left leg, and right wrist disabilities have been reopened. The Board has determined that new evidence received is sufficient to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to new evidence and a vocational rehabilitation assessment indicating that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment. The case will be referred back to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to new examinations being required.