Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders due to his incarceration, requiring VA to attempt to obtain examinations at a correctional facility or arrange for an examination by qualified medical professionals.

The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and back condition due to incomplete records from his service period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder tears was granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea. The left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the right shoulder, which is claimed as secondary to recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, low back, neck, and mental health conditions to include as secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurring ulcers and gastritis, right shoulder sore joint with degenerative arthritis, severe congestion and sinus conditions, and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for severe congestion and sinus conditions and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions, including left-eye disorder, esophagitis, gastritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were dismissed. The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his shoulder, wrist, fifth finger, and lumbar spine disorders are also dismissed.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for hearing loss, shoulder disability, and frostbite of the feet. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and complete his service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance or a TDIU due to their combined rating of 50 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent. The Board has remanded the issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination findings. The issues include left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and right foot hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory, left shoulder/arm, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities due to incomplete records, lack of VA examinations, and need for further verification of periods of active duty.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and bilateral shoulder conditions are rated at 30 percent combined, meeting criteria for a TDIU on schedular basis. However, his cervical spine condition is remanded, and he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for vitiligo, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, TMJ syndrome, right forearm laceration scar, Bechet's disease with intermittent flares of iritis, acne, mouth ulcers, and joint pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for left ring finger fracture and left little finger fracture are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left tibia fracture prior to June 27, 2019; and from that date onward was denied. The Board found no evidence of marked knee or ankle disability warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the AOJ should consider this additional evidence before making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an ulcer has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Board has remanded several issues including left shoulder, right wrist and right-hand disabilities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, gastritis, hemorrhoids, and migraine headaches for further development.