Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral gout and right shoulder tendonitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher than a 20 percent rating for right shoulder tendonitis from March 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fatigue and right shoulder disability due to conflicting opinions on causation. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with a secondary basis if related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability has been granted.,A current stomach disability was established based on in-service treatment and symptoms, with the Board finding that it is less likely than not caused by an event or illness during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, and lumbosacral strain due to a lack of objective evidence during a 12-year period following service.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for left-shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee torn meniscus repair with residual arthralgia (right knee disability), and left shoulder disability were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied an increased rating.,For the initial rating period from April 29, 2016, a compensable disability rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for low back pain, service connection for right shoulder and neck disorders secondary to service-connected low back disability, due to insufficient examination findings and lack of clear rationale in some opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of a bilateral eye condition and an earlier effective date for shrapnel fragment wound (SFW), right shoulder.

The Board denied service connection for neck/cervical spine, headache, right hip, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of credible continuity of symptoms from service or a competent nexus opinion.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's claimed conditions were found not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder/arm disorders are not related to service and have denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal link between his current disability and in-service events.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran has muscle atrophy related to his right shoulder disability. The examiner should reconcile previous findings of no muscle atrophy with current measurements showing no atrophy.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and for a left ankle degenerative joint disease. Service connection was denied for a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee condition has been granted. The claims for left shoulder and right shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's thoracic back strain, including service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's post traumatic headaches and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for COPD and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Joint pain of ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date provided as the decision is for appeal purposes only.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, low back disability, and other joint disabilities due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded.