Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and left elbow was denied an increased rating. A 10 percent rating for left hip trochanteric bursitis from April 1, 2011 to May 5, 2014 has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for lumbar back disability and left shoulder disability. However, both issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as it is unclear whether PTSD and obesity are contributing factors. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, sinusitis, epistaxis, and erectile dysfunction due to deficiencies in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his character of discharge from service and the remaining service connection claims are also remanded as 'inextricably linked together' with the character of discharge issue.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease (DJD) other than the right and left hips, a left shoulder disability, a right knee disability, a right ankle disability, and a skin condition (spider bite).

The Veteran's attorney requested the appeal be withdrawn due to authorization from the Veteran, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for right shoulder disability and fatigue.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder strain is denied as his functional loss does not result in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left shoulder strain prior to February 25, 2020 is granted. The Veteran's condition has been stable and he did not experience significant functional loss during flare-ups or with repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and left wrist condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle bursitis, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, respiratory disorder, left hip disorder, and low back disorder have been readjudicated due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and neurocognitive disability are not related to his active duty service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issue of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The VA will address these issues before making a final decision on the TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's right leg, neck, and right shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected. The right leg disability is related to an in-service accident. The neck and shoulder disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, polymyalgia rheumatica, osteopenia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The claim for a higher rating for right shoulder disability prior to August 26, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion at or beyond shoulder level.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a low back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability. The skin disorder issue is remanded due to lack of VA examination.,VA will conduct additional development regarding the Veteran's claim for a skin disorder, including considering his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, major depressive disorder, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist disorders, low back disorders, right ankle disorders, and left foot disorders. The appeal is not about service connection at all in some cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder disability, left ankle and ankle disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, low back disability, and right elbow disability. The claim for status post left salpingectomy with scars was also denied.