Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2013.

The Board has found that additional private treatment records are needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for left ulnar nerve paralysis and residual scars. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder, hip, knee and hand/finger disabilities as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and postoperative meniscectomy of the left knee with arthritis due to additional VA medical evidence being associated with his claim file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and right shoulder conditions, are found to be sufficient to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability at the time of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis, following total joint replacement surgery, was denied as the highest allowed rating under applicable criteria is 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including buttocks condition, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, left arm swelling, left leg condition, and left shoulder condition. The AOJ is instructed to consider whether these conditions are related to lymphedema and/or venous insufficiency, as well as any potential aggravation by obesity.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 30, 2012.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from the date of claim (October 30, 2012).

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete opinion regarding a right shoulder strain diagnosis and its relationship to service-connected left knee disability.

A disability rating of 20 percent for a back disability is granted, effective December 9, 2019.,Initial compensable ratings are denied for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies prior to May 15, 2018. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are granted thereafter.,A 10 percent rating is granted for each ankle disability prior to October 21, 2013. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied after that date.,Initial compensable ratings are denied for right and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder tendonitis with impingement and service connection for depressive disorder. The Veteran was not granted any new disability ratings or service connections.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities, particularly whether they are related to his service-connected neck disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorders have been reopened. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, tension headaches, and scars of the bilateral shoulders and knees due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as service connection for migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 30 percent.