Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran is challenging the current rating for their left shoulder disability, which was initially assigned at 20%. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the current level of severity and functional impairment.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, which prevents him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical stenosis. The claims for left and right shoulder strain are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain another opinion with sufficient rationale.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and right shoulder disability. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied because the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished element of the claim and is duplicative of previous statements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and benign positional vertigo. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, gunshot wound residuals of the right posterior shoulder, and initial compensable rating for right shoulder strain were granted. The PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective April 3, 2014.

The Board has previously remanded the claim, but there was no substantial compliance with previous directives. Another remand is required due to issues with scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's current address needs to be verified before scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of left knee meniscal tear and right shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent from March 31, 2006 to May 8, 2006. The Board found that the evidence showed limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shoulder conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 12, 2020. His combined rating was at least 60% from August 19, 2009 through January 18, 2020.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and left shoulder tendonitis were granted initial noncompensable ratings, but a rating of 30 percent was granted for the right shoulder tendonitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition, finding that it is not etiologically related to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for various joint disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.