Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination addressing whether the Veteran experienced neurological impairment related to his left shoulder disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and fibromyalgia due to inadequate examination in September 2016.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD with shin splints and exertional compartment syndrome were granted a combined 40 percent rating from May 29, 2012 to May 28, 2017.,A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for the left ankle sprain. The Veteran's left shoulder remote AC joint separation with limitation of motion received a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for Meniere’s disease, a left shoulder disability, and a right shoulder disability (secondary to the left shoulder condition) have been granted. The Board found that there is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, L1, L5-S1 and associated radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's mid-back disability (previously claimed as left shoulder pain) is also remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff disability, spine strain, hallux valgus residuals, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a scar from the right great toe. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder subluxation and has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability, which is secondary to his service-connected shoulder disabilities. The case must be returned to VA to attempt to obtain records from Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital in California where the Veteran was hospitalized during the 1980s.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left shoulder bursitis and a compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the fifth digit of the right hand was denied. However, he was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and left shoulder strain are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, hypertension, bilateral knee conditions, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left and right knee conditions. The new evidence submitted since previous denials is considered material as it relates to the basis of the prior final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left ankle, low back, and bilateral hand disabilities due to an undiagnosed illness. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms of pain in these areas since his military service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left shoulder disability is denied, but he is granted a compensable rating for scars on the left shoulder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disability, urinary disability, testicular disability, respiratory disability, right shoulder disability, right and left heel disabilities, post-operative hernia residuals, sleep disability (insomnia), E. coli infection residuals, and a disability manifested by obesity. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and right thumb disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service duties as a plane captain.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to evaluate the Veteran's migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, and left leg pain claims due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision is new and material, thus reopening the claim. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia and an effective date earlier than June 14, 2014, for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to a need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives regarding his right shoulder condition. The case will be reviewed and a new examination conducted to assess the current severity of his service-connected total right shoulder replacement, including any associated neurological impairment.