Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder condition and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of prior VA examinations. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff disability had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include right shoulder condition, left ankle condition, costochondritis, degenerative disc disease, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 12, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension and ED are not rated higher than non-compensable.,Tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability (arrhythmia and hypertension) and right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of a current condition related to service. Service connection was granted for left shoulder radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease with muscle spasm is not service-connected.,Right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not service-connected as secondary to back disorder.,Right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder are not service-connected as secondary to back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee condition, a shoulder condition, and a back disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The case is being sent back for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred as a result of active duty service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s eye disability was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's arthritis of the shoulders, back, hips and feet was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s vertigo was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was not manifest during active service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and presumptive service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the right shoulder as a chronic disease due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between his in-service injury and current diagnoses, and failure to demonstrate chronicity and continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment at any pertinent point prior to his death. The claim for a TDIU due to the late Veteran’s service-connected disabilities, to include on an extra-schedular basis, must be denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and noting that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for these disorders based on his medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine conditions. The right and left elbow conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding no medical nexus either on a direct or secondary basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis and lumbosacral strain, as well as higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The remand is due to inadequate examinations conducted previously.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disorder as secondary to residuals of left ankle fracture, low back disability, and gastrointestinal (GI) disability. The case was remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, mid-back, upper back, and neck disabilities. The Veteran's current back or neck problems are not related to his military service.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (related to dystonia) was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, including headaches, left shoulder and elbow pain, fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal symptoms.