Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, right and left foot plantar fasciitis, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,Service connection was also denied for rhinitis and stomach disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for COPD and residuals of a dislocated left shoulder due to asbestos exposure during service as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings need more evidence, specifically medical records from his VA treatment at West Haven VAMC.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent effective from June 19, 2019. Service connection for a right hip disability and left hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for PFB. The right knee disability is also granted as secondary to left knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder condition, left shoulder scar, and back condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 2, 2018 did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection as it pre-existed his military service and worsened during active duty. Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. Right ear hearing loss has been established as related to service.,Bilateral shoulder, elbow, and knee conditions are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their etiology. The Veteran's eye disorder, including residuals of cataract surgery, also requires further examination to assess its relationship with his diabetes.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board has remanded this issue due to conflicting evidence regarding whether his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder condition and post-traumatic deformity of the distal ring finger are granted. The claim for torn left pectoral muscle is denied, but the Veteran maintains his right to seek compensation for this issue through other means. His compensable rating for post-traumatic deformity of the distal ring finger remains at 0%.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address whether the Veteran's claimed right and left shoulder disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left hip and ankle conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with arthritis and impingement syndrome, as well as service connection for his cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support an increased rating or service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions, and a new addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's shoulder condition was aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome status post acromial decompression surgery is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.,The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and left calf muscle disabilities, finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2017 VA examination.,The Veteran's left knee condition is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2017 VA examination.,The Veteran's right thumb and left thumb conditions are remanded for clarification of diagnosis and determination of service connection.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition is remanded for an addendum opinion on its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as of August 30, 2010, based on his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, neck disability, and both knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of his claims.