Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, as it is inadequate due to the lack of consideration of all evidence and updated VA treatment records. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s left shoulder disability is related to his in-service duties or if it was aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Board has decided that the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability should be remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for an examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied prior to October 17, 2018. From January 1, 2019 onwards, the Veteran received an increased rating of 30 percent.,The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further adjudication on the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disability (TDIU).

Service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder and neck has been granted, while service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension were denied service connection, while a rating of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and basis for not considering a 10 percent rating for each joint based on painful motion. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of service-connected generalized arthralgias.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete scheduling of VA examinations and lack of communication with the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left arm, right arm, and wrist conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions. However, he was diagnosed with shoulder conditions during his VA examinations. These cases are being remanded to clarify whether the Veteran has any current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of back and left foot disabilities, but has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, which is secondary to his service-connected CAD and acquired psychiatric disorder, has been granted. The claims for other conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and a left shoulder disability have been denied. The claim for PTSD has been granted with a rating of 50 percent.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability has been reopened, but the Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and nature of his condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical records. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no credible evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for dental injury, TMJ, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, loss of grip strength in the right hand (secondary to cervical DDD with IVDS), respiratory disability (asthma), and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gall bladder removal complications, inguinal hernia, left and right knee conditions, rotator cuff tears, and sleep apnea. The case must be returned to VA for further action.

The Board has ordered a new examination to address whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is caused by or aggravated by her service-connected neck and back disabilities, as well as whether her use of a cane in her right hand could have caused or aggravated her right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right shoulder degenerative joint disease have been granted. The disabilities are considered to be related to combat injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the feet and hands, knees, shoulders, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), were all denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.