Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder rotator cuff was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal. The appeal for a higher PTSD rating is granted with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to an inadequate familiarity with his medical history, as evidenced by the January 2013 VA examiner's opinion. The case is now sent back for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for DJD cervical spine, right arm biceps condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and left calf fascial defect. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the fact that his combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria, but he has been unable to find suitable employment due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts, a left foot disorder, and a right shoulder disorder due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and toenail disabilities due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated range of motion measurements.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary as the Veteran is entitled to substantial compliance with Board remand directives. The case was previously before the Board in June 2019, and it has been returned for appellate consideration.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, bilateral foot condition, and skin cancer as a result of herbicide exposure. The decision concluded that the Veteran did not have chronic conditions in service or within presumptive periods, and there was no evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for left elbow disability. The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional pertinent medical records and lay statements being associated with his case after previous Statements of the Case (SOCs). The Veteran was requested to provide a waiver for AOJ review, but instead requested that his case be sent back to the AOJ. The Board will issue an SSOC considering all evidence obtained since the last SOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period from June 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after previous denials and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability and its relation to service. The VA will obtain a new opinion considering the Veteran's work history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various joint disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated, along with his in-service injury from a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder condition is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis with headaches.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury and there is no evidence of arthritis within one year post-service.