Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to April 7, 2016. Beginning April 7, 2016, the rating for his left shoulder disability is denied. Prior to June 18, 2012, the Veteran was granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg and left leg shin splints. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as the right shoulder disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the evidence, including lack of recent VA examinations and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 upon remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing aggravation. The VA is required to obtain additional evidence and provide a new examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate should be restored due to a lack of proper coding in his previous rating decision. However, the claim is being remanded for further development as it also involves defective vision and whether the Veteran is substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.

The claims of service connection for pituitary adenoma with prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, and a psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, erectile dysfunction, and left knee disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to support the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm and shoulder disability has been reopened, but the case is still pending as it needs further examination to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for GERD, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and service connection for a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches has been reopened and is being remanded. The claims for PFB, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot tinea pedis are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand six separate claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right hand broken finger disorder, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional disability of the bilateral upper extremities as a result of a March 2012 VA medical facility treatment, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or similar instance of fault on part of VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot, hand, knee, shoulder, back, and eye disorders due to incomplete records from the Veteran's reserve service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to deficiencies in a previous VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a withdrawal of the appeal. The Board dismissed the case as there are no allegations of errors in the determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability was aggravated by VA treatment on July 8, 1999. The examiner must compare the Veteran’s condition before and after the treatment.

The Veteran's left shoulder scar had its onset during his active service and is granted. The Veteran's left shoulder disability other than the scar, which he contends was aggravated by a fall due to his right knee condition, did not have its onset during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that an extraschedular rating was not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on employment.