Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, low back, neck, and neurological spine disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tenosynovitis and acromioclavicular joint strain prior to August 28, 2018 and lumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) prior to September 2018 due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disorders due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, anxiety disorder NOS, effective date prior to January 14, 2014 for the grant of 50 percent for anxiety disorder NOS, and TDIU due to in-and post-service symptoms not being adequately addressed by previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and back condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right shoulder peritendinitis with degenerative arthritis and impingement syndrome, greater tubercle inferior aspect neck of humerus; a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; service connection for right leg ligament condition; service connection for residuals of a nasal fracture; and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder have all been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, but has remanded the claim for entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including arthritis of the AC joint, is rated at 20 percent disabling from June 10, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for torn right bicep and degenerative joint disease of the left and right shoulders due to service-connected conditions, subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, impaired fasting glucose disorder, lumbar spine strain, right shoulder DJD, prostate disability, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, finding that the current diagnoses of degenerative osteoarthritis were not incurred in or related to service.

All initial ratings of 10 percent for left and right foot plantar fasciitis, low back disability, and right shoulder disability are granted from November 1, 2007. The rating of 10 percent for the right knee disability is also granted.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent from November 1, 2007 to April 25, 2016 and then dropped back down to 10 percent after that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete service medical records, particularly regarding the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The VA is required to obtain these records to determine if the appellant’s current shoulder disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and the absence of continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is rated at 20 percent prior to August 26, 2017.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder arthritis from August 26, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities, including supraspinatus tendinosis and degenerative joint disease, are rated at 20% each since May 23, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.