Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including cramps of the lower extremities, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, memory loss due to a motor vehicle accident, cervical spine disability, joint pain, bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including schizophrenia and depression).

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was denied. The current disability ratings are 10% for right peroneal nerve palsy, 30% for right carpal tunnel syndrome from July 10, 2019 to present, and 20% for left carpal tunnel syndrome since June 12, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their direct effects without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and because the issues are inextricably intertwined with his claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete and contradictory examination, requiring further development including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and pulmonary conditions, including conducting new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his lumbar spine strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella, right ankle strain (status-post surgery), and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it began during active service and is related to a shoulder injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service. His right shoulder disability was also not related to service as there is no evidence of in-service injury or treatment. For the right knee disability, the Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed condition.,reasoning

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for left shoulder strain/sprain with arthropathy was partially granted, but the Board finds there has not been substantial compliance with all directives and requires further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids has been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for urethral meatal condyloma prior to October 13, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent from that date onwards have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and pain disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete development. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, back, and neurological disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric and insomnia conditions. These issues are being returned for further development.

Service connection for a neck disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities is granted.,A rating of 10% for the right knee disability is denied. A rating greater than 20% for the left knee disability prior to December 12, 2019 is also denied. However, since December 12, 2019, a rating of 40% for the left knee disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a derivative claim for TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) being within its jurisdiction. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further examination and employment information are needed to determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol and its related conditions, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic sclerosis, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, pulmonary granulomatous, bilateral pleural fibrosis, chronic right shoulder pain, upper extremity neuropathies, easy bruising, GERD, skin cancer, adrenal adenomas, colon polyps, enlarged prostate, and perforated tympanic membrane are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to perform work-like activities due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is currently rated for radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and other conditions.