Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, lumbar spine strain, sciatic neuropathy of both lower extremities, femoral neuropathies, and right shoulder DJD. The issues have been referred to include a new examination to determine whether the Veteran currently suffers from diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to his current condition and that it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected neck disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death. Additionally, he did not meet the criteria to receive burial benefits as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back, neck, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, left shoulder disabilities, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a sleep-related disorder. Entitlement to service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are denied. The bilateral foot disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of cervical spine, right hip, left shoulder, and headache disabilities. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, L1 vertebral compression fracture, multilevel facet changes and osteophytes at C3 through C7 along with multilevel degenerative disc disease, tension headaches, and right shoulder disability are all granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disorder and right elbow are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and sleep disorders are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for right shoulder arthritis and TDIU is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a new opinion on his left knee disability, and to consider whether extra-schedular TDIU should be granted prior to July 15, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal regarding the service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. As a result, the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability as the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that either condition has resulted in limitation of motion to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting new VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current shoulder and back conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.