Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 1, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and left foot disability due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to outstanding records and need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a head injury, headaches, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service shoulder strain. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral wrist and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all raised theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an insufficient basis for not estimating the functional effects of flare-ups during a VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted a 20% rating from April 30, 2015 to May 23, 2016. A higher rating for the left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 20% for the same condition after that date are denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded cases regarding service connection for left and right CTS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, left second toe, and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines are caused by his service-connected left shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis, status post rotator cuff repair with residuals. The Veteran does not have a separate nerve condition or muscle condition of the left shoulder. Service connection for nerve conditions of the neck is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted after the June 2019 denial, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease is supported by VA treatment records, but his claim remains on remand to determine if there is a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection, as there are deficiencies in the current medical opinions and further examination may be necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of a current disability related to his period of service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from January 28, 2008 to October 18, 2017.,SMC is remanded as there is no effective date provided.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left shoulder impingement syndromes are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination during his 'worst days'.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision. The Veteran's upper extremity disabilities are being reviewed again with new evidence and an updated opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated as 40 percent disabling, effective April 11, 2016. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, hip, foot, knee, and shoulder disabilities as they are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection was denied because there is no evidence of any diagnosed condition in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by service.