Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and failure to address the Veteran's contentions regarding exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome as secondary to his right shoulder ac joint arthritis has been granted. However, the case is remanded due to a need to rate the Veteran's now service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and determine if TDIU should be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and denied service connection for left knee, back, left heel, left shoulder, and right rib fracture conditions. The effective date remains pending as the Veteran did not submit a formal application within one year of receiving an informal claim.

The Veteran is granted separate 10 percent ratings for seronegative spondyloarthropathy and ankylosing spondylitis of the right foot and toes, left foot and toes, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right hand and fingers, left hand and fingers, right wrist, left wrist, and right ankle and left ankle.,The combined ratings for these conditions exceed the rating assigned under DC 5003.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral flat feet and FSHD of both shoulders, finding that the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for sinusitis prior to August 28, 2013. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied since August 28, 2013. Other issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new claims, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service disease or injury. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative changes at L5/S1 was also denied as the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims on this current appeal for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, as well as skin cancer. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, lower back strain, bilateral knee strain, and sleep apnea. The claims for bilateral leg lymphedema and COPD are remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during service.,Service connection for the right foot disability (pes planus and degenerative joint disease) is granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle and/or left foot disabilities, is denied due to lack of evidence supporting such a link.,Service connection for a right leg disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle disability, is denied.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left ankle sprain, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for right hip disorder, secondary to the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis and amputation of the left fifth toe, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, secondary to the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis and amputation of the left fifth toe, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left great toe disability, secondary to the service-connected plantar fasciitis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left hip disorder, secondary to the service-connected plantar fasciitis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missed VA examinations. The Veteran and his representative have provided updated contact information, but attempts to schedule the necessary examinations were not successful.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for such determinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a left arm or shoulder disorder was granted, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD based on limited range of motion and left knee DJD based on limited range of motion are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder disability are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The right foot disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for neck, right shoulder, and migraine headache disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability are all granted service connection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for a rating determination.