Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his derivative TDIU claim was referred to the Director of VA Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration. The Director determined that the Veteran is capable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his education, training, and work experience.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for small bowel obstruction was denied. The earlier effective date claim for allergic rhinitis is dismissed as untimely filed.,Issues related to GERD, right shoulder disability, PFB, and OSA are remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm/shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, residuals of right shoulder injury, and residuals of left shoulder injury. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred during her period of honorable active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability. The case is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability. The claims were previously remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not result in occupational impairment that prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder and forearm disabilities are related to a fall in service. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician accepting the Veteran's reports of falls during service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus to his period of active service.,Service connection was also denied for left ankle disability and right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability prior to May 30, 2014, and from May 30, 2014, to the present. The examiner must consider the Veteran’s lay statements and previous VA examinations and post-service treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to groin disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), left shoulder disorder, and low back disorder are remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to provide necessary authorizations for VA to obtain his private treatment records. The claims will be further processed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.158(a) if he does not respond within a year.

The claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition is denied, and the claim for TDIU is granted but not fully awarded due to the combined rating not meeting the required percentage.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain, chronic patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chronic rotator cuff syndrome of the right shoulder, painful scar of the right ankle, and chronic tendonitis of the left first metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and confirming SSA disability benefits status. The Veteran's right shoulder disability will be evaluated further.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating for the entire increased rating period from April 15, 2014. The right shoulder disability remains remanded and TDIU appeal is deferred until further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is granted as secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Her PTSD claim is denied, and her dysthymic disorder is granted with a 30% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's right hip, back, right shoulder, and left knee disorders are all under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records, particularly those related to the March 2012 right shoulder arthroscopy. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for Sprengel's deformity of the right shoulder and elbow, finding that it is a congenital defect not aggravated by military service.