Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and bilateral hand disorder were denied. The claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar scoliosis prior to October 24, 2019 was granted with a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's neck and left shoulder disabilities are related to his in-service accident, as he reported.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is granted service connection, and the Board also remanded cases for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various hip, shoulder, arm, and leg conditions due to a lack of evidence of current musculoskeletal disabilities separate from the Veteran's already service-connected radiculopathy/neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and a 20% rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome beginning December 6, 2010 is granted. The claim for service connection for hematuria is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a missing statement of the case (SOC) and requests for VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions in previous remands.

The Board has restored service connection for Other Specified Trauma and Stress-Related Disorder (OSTSRD) effective February 2, 2016. The issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease (DJD), has not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent since February 1974.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to an in-service head injury.,The current left shoulder and right shoulder disorders do not appear to be directly related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms within the presumptive period or post-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,His left foot bunionectomy and residual scar are currently rated appropriately, with no higher schedular rating being warranted.

The Veteran's IBS, RUE CTS, lumbar spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and disability affecting the right hand/fingers are all granted as service-connected. The Veteran's sleep disorder is also granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9413 or any other code. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of current evidence of tinnitus. Service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as the AOJ found that there was no new evidence to reopen his previously denied claims and denied all service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for throat, eye, left shoulder, left ankle, ulcers and polyps, and respiratory conditions due to missing development. The VA examinations were not conducted as scheduled or completed, and there are conflicting opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied, but his PTSD symptoms were found to warrant a 50 percent rating. His headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition and lung condition due to physical demands during service and alleged environmental exposures, respectively. The claims are being sent back for new etiological opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remands. The issues include knee, shoulder, elbow, neck, and foot disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for metastatic cancer to the head and neck and right shoulder bone cancer, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are related to arthritis and chronic body pain in various joints, but the appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act or Agent Orange.