Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for cervical DDD with radiculopathy and scoliosis, right arm radiculopathy, and left arm radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following the November 2017 surgical procedure for chronic right shoulder dislocation, finding that the surgery was related to the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, hip, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder as secondary to residuals of a right kidney transplant. The decision is based on medical evidence that prolonged use of immunosuppressive medications and steroid therapy caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% prior to July 2, 2012 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since July 2, 2012 and denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain and did not address the increased rating claim for residuals of a right ankle sprain. The case is REMANDED to provide further development.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and residuals of a right knee injury as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and CAD, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder labral tear and lumbosacral / low back strain due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's STRs are missing, which is why these cases have been sent back for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 16, 2008 for service connection of left shoulder injury with arthritis and for increased ratings. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability), DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II), and lumbar spine disability are not granted.,Service connection for leukemia is remanded.,Service connection for COPD is remanded.,Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder (claimed as arthritis of the left shoulder) is remanded.,Service connection for urinary frequency, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII with diabetic ulcer of the right foot or service-connected lumbar spine disability, and service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII or service-connected lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 30 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 20 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability); service connection for DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II); and service connection for lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for CAD associated with hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lipoma tumor on the spine is remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated as noncompensable, and his chronic strain of the right pectoralis muscle is also rated as noncompensable.,Both conditions are currently rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and evaluations. The cases are pending further development.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for a back disorder is being reviewed due to new evidence received.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several disability ratings, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Veteran's entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted on May 14, 2018, and the Board found that this date is when his entitlement arose. Therefore, an earlier effective date than May 14, 2018, for these benefits is denied.

The Veteran's right rib nodule, residuals of fracture, and right shoulder disability have been granted. The appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, right and left upper and lower extremity nerve disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA medical opinion is required to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for lumbosacral spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The evidence did not establish onset or a nexus with service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, bilateral hand, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.