Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.,The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, residuals of kidney cancer, and gout. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, bilateral shoulder disability, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will consider whether new evidence supports reopening of the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including upper and lower jawbone loss, status post nasal cartilage fracture with anosmia, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative joint disease, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain and degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral strain. The Board found the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new medical opinion. The Veteran's left shoulder mild tendinosis distal subscapularis tendon is unclear, and his right shoulder disability may be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has denied service connection for eczema, right shoulder disorder, right leg disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and left knee disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses with respect to any of the claimed disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and GERD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which prevented an earlier denial from becoming final. The case is now being reviewed on the merits for service connection of a right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder melanoma should be remanded due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination addressing whether his melanoma is related to in-service sun exposure.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to October 31, 2019 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The rating of 30 percent from October 31, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to unresolved issues regarding service connection and rating of various foot, hip, shoulder, knee, and gastrointestinal conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year post-service, and that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder torn rotator cuff with impingement was rated at 20 percent from September 23, 2015 to September 20, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that his range of motion was limited midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left thumb and hand disability, right-sided head, neck, and shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity disability.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between her current disabilities and active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection based on her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.