Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a September 2019 medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and right arm disabilities. The case is now required to obtain addendum opinions that address the documented history of right shoulder and arm symptoms post-surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU prior to January 12, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for right traumatic ulnar neuropathy is granted as secondary to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for a right hand disorder, including degenerative arthritis, and a right shoulder disorder, including SLAP tear and degenerative arthritis, are denied as not related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all of the remaining issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, as well as service connection claims for various disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted. Service connection is denied for right hip degenerative joint disease (DJD), left hip DJD with iliotibial band syndrome, a right knee disorder to include arthritis, and a left knee disorder to include arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use other than an upper extremity, and he is not service-connected for a severe burn injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his cervical spine and right shoulder disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder condition, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection was also denied for a left ankle disability due to lack of medical records indicating the presence of such condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, which is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition. The decision also grants new and material evidence having been received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with PTSD and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent from June 22, 2002 until October 26, 2009. The rating will be effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and right ankle disability due to additional development being required.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the hips, elbows, wrists, and shoulders as there was no evidence of chronic in-service arthritis or continuity of symptomatology. The bilateral knee disability was also denied due to lack of a showing of chronic in-service arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine appropriate disability ratings. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold requirements of having an employment handicap, despite his master’s degree and over 20 years of experience in healthcare.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for a right shoulder disability, including considering whether any current disabilities are related to in-service events or conditions.