Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for shoulder disorder, keloid scarring, and unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia due to potential service connection issues. The AOJ must provide a new examination and consider all relevant evidence before making a decision.

The Board has remanded both the DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for the cause of death claims due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the appellant's contentions regarding timely diagnosis and treatment of the Veteran’s UTI, sepsis, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. Additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.

An increased rating of 10 percent for a left knee disability is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, umbilical hernia, right knee, and left foot disabilities were previously denied but are now reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his current condition is related to active service.,His claim for an increased rating of residuals of status-post bunionectomy of the left foot, including on an extraschedular basis, was also denied due to the 10 percent rating currently assigned compensating adequately for his symptoms.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, right shoulder impairment, left shoulder impairment, cervical spine disorder, arthritis of the ankles and hips, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident, status post is not service-connected as it was first shown years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of in-service treatment records and the need for further examination.

The appeal regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,TDIU for the period prior to July 2, 2012 is granted. SMC based on statutory housebound status under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the period beginning September 15, 2014, and no earlier, is granted.,The issue of TDIU for the period prior to July 2, 2012 is remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the veteran's left wrist, right shoulder, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck (cervical spine) disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for right shoulder disability.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and left wrist injuries, finding that VA's duty to assist has been triggered due to the need for treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, right shoulder strain, and PTSD were all granted. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was due to his service-connected conditions, specifically his prescribed high-dose opioid pain medications and benzodiazepine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal, thus his TDIU claim based on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and her service-connected psychiatric disability. The claims for bilateral foot condition, low back condition, cervical spine condition (right side of neck), right arm condition, and right shoulder condition are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with impingement is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 11, 2012. Other service-connected conditions are denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a hip disorder, increased ratings for service-connected varicose veins of the bilateral legs, and an increased rating for service-connected left shoulder disability due to the Veteran's failure to report to scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various orthopedic conditions, including low back, bilateral hip, knee, and shoulder issues. The Veteran was also granted Social Security disability benefits in 2012.