Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, RIGHT elbow disorder, and LEFT elbow disorder. Service connection was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy / sciatica as secondary to a service-connected low back disorder. Temporary total ratings under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 were denied due to lack of VA hospitalizations.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, GERD, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for frozen right shoulder and left wrist injury with loss of use of hand due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examination reports.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for frozen left elbow, left wrist injury with loss of use of left hand and fingers has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is denied for right shoulder pain and head trauma. The case of skin cancer is remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder sprain and right elbow sprain has been denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion sufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Both conditions are rated under Diagnostic Codes that do not allow for an increased rating based on current range-of-motion findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to incomplete information provided by his attorney regarding a claim submitted with Mr. Lloyd Finklea in 1992.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder, right hand and wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left hand and wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The disabilities are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it is proximately due to or a result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection was denied for a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, increased rating for a left shoulder disability, and TDIU due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder did not have its onset during or is etiologically related to military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a higher rating of PTSD is denied.,Service connection for chronic nose bleeds and right shoulder injury are both denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and both upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes as the evidence did not establish a link to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, sleep apnea, and a low back condition. The claims for right knee pain, left knee pain, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and right bicep condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to outstanding VA treatment records from the Columbia VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, bilateral shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection for dizziness is remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left shoulder disability, with the latter potentially secondary to the former. The case is being remanded due to incomplete records from his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was present prior to service and did not worsen during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.