Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder degenerative arthritis from April 28, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s right arm abduction has been limited to at worst 80 degrees since April 28, 2011 and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's disability picture did not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating was less than 70% when considering both service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist/hand disabilities due to lack of objective evidence showing these conditions within a year of separation from service. The Veteran's assertions that symptoms could be traced back to service were not credible given the long period since separation.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and consequent pain, as well as his left shoulder pain and 'Parkinson’s-like' tremors, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disorder as a result of his active duty service and that the weight of the evidence did not support a finding of a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's requests to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist, right wrist, and left shoulder disabilities are granted. The claim for sore throat is denied as it is associated with other conditions. The claim for prostate disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's PTSD, upper airway respiratory syndrome, right shoulder strain, right lateral epicondylitis, and right ankle sprain have been granted initial ratings of 70 percent each from October 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder condition, right and left lower extremity conditions as secondary to recurrent lumbar strain due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran must provide updated medical records and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to eczema and other service-connected disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability and TDIU.

The claim to reopen service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claim for service connection for PTSD itself is also granted. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disorder and left knee disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a chronic in-service disability or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding all right shoulder disabilities, including impingement syndrome and posterior capsule fibrosis.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating from November 1, 2020. The Board found the reduction of his left knee disability rating to 10 percent in September 2017 was not properly made and granted restoration.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran’s osteopenia manifested by pain has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and lumbosacral strain are currently rated as 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, but both conditions require additional examination and evaluation.