Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete medical records, lack of a VA examination, and inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than 20 percent impairment, as the Veteran’s arm motion was limited to around 80 degrees from side to shoulder level. For the right shoulder and neck disabilities, the case is remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for hand and arm disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder condition was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which is required for a higher evaluation.,A separate evaluation of 20 percent was granted for recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level.

The Board denied service connection for various hand, shoulder, elbow, foot, and hip disorders, as well as arthritis of the neck. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or a clear link to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding his claim for service connection for ACL joint osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and bilateral foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any identified disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, as the evidence did not support that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,For right shoulder disability, the Veteran's current flexion and abduction were found to be within normal limits with no additional loss of range of motion. The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left shoulder impingement syndrome. The right shoulder disability, right index finger disability, and the disability productive of diarrhea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, left ankle condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was granted. The Board found that his adjustment disorder is due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and remanded the issues of sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20% before October 28, 2020 and at 30% from that date on. The low back disability is rated at 10% before October 28, 2020 and at 20% from that date on. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 20%. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective January 27, 2015. The claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection of fibromyalgia. The other issues related to neck, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and has remanded the issue of service connection for her left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50%, resulted in a combined rating of 90% from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period based on the severity and cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and tinnitus, render him unemployable. The Board granted total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service.