Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 29, 2016 due to inextricably intertwined issues including an increased rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative changes and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected residuals of rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for congenital cataracts has been denied as the evidence does not show that his condition was aggravated by active duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and an anxiety disorder) have been remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner must consider all psychiatric diagnoses during the appeal period and provide a rationale for their opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition has been remanded as the VA examination was inadequate. An addendum is required, considering whether the condition is directly related to active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder condition or degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of range of motion assessment during a period of repetitive use.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is found to be causally related to in-service noise exposure, and the gastrointestinal disability is determined to be secondary to service-connected left shoulder and left ankle disabilities.,PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent, but not higher.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right pinched nerve in the neck and left shoulder thoracic outlet syndrome, finding that there is no current disability manifested by these conditions beyond already service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and diabetes mellitus type II (secondary to herbicide agent exposure) based on the Veteran's in-service injury and presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving off the coast of Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left hand, right shoulder, neck, lower back, and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain has been rated at the highest schedular rating (40%) for the period beginning January 17, 2018. The claim for an increased rating is denied as there is no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions, including surgical scarring of the neck based on disfigurement and dysphagia (swallowing impairment), was granted. However, his claims for secondary service connection were remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is related to his in-service injury from parachute jumps. The cervical, lumbar spine, knee, shoulder, and elbow disorders are remanded for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's assertions about injuries sustained during parachute jumps.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted for neck injury, spine injury, bilateral hand injuries, bilateral arm injuries, right shoulder injury, and PTSD due to VA personnel's negligence in providing appropriate medical care.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his umbilical hernia repair is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder condition, including residuals of a shoulder dislocation, is granted.,The claims for left ankle and right ankle conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding residuals of post-carpal tunnel release, right arm. The claims for service connection for PTSD and shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint hypermobility, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and rating determinations. The additional VA treatment records need to be considered in the readjudication process.

The Veteran's case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination for his left shoulder tendonitis due to lack of proper notification.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as it is no longer relevant.