Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has denied a higher rating for left shoulder strain and remanded the issue of service connection for a skin disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic shoulder, wrist, foot, and knee disorders, as well as COPD, due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a hypothermia injury to the bilateral lower legs and feet, but remanded other issues due to lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective dates are set at April 10, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal of service connection for dizziness is dismissed. The claim for heart condition and several joint conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension, and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for migraines. The appeal regarding status post hemorrhoidectomy with internal and external hemorrhoids was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and GERD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for release of his private medical records.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right shoulder disability, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations, missing VA treatment records, and new evidence not being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, which had its onset in service, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for knee, shoulder, foot, hand, and low back conditions are being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and the Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining private medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his orthopedic conditions, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for various bilateral and unilateral joint disabilities, including wrist, hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder conditions, as well as his eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran has requested that her case be returned to the AOJ for consideration of this new evidence.