Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, and ring finger disabilities, as well as a headache disability. The issue of initial compensable rating for skin irritation is also being remanded.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a left hip disability and a left shoulder disability, both secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,There is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to March 27, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability prior to February 5, 2020 was denied. From February 5, 2020 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 40 percent for this condition. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and work history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions. The Veteran's statements regarding onset of symptoms during service are being considered, along with post-service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for new nexus opinions. The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable, but his other conditions remain under review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, but denied service connection for his left and right shoulder injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability. The appeal regarding the November 2001 rating decision denying service connection for a right shoulder disability based on CUE was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and left arm disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection.

Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, including metastasis to the neck and associated treatment.,Service connection is also granted for loss of sense of taste due to SCC of the base of the tongue.,Residual scars related to head/neck cancer treatment are service-connected.,Numbness of the face, neck, and chest is service-connected.,Weakness and limitation of motion of the left shoulder, including adhesive capsulitis, is service-connected.,Anemia associated with chronic fatigue is service-connected.,Left ventricular hypertrophy is service-connected.,Hepatic steatosis / ‘fatty liver’ is service-connected.,GERD is service-connected.,Sleep apnea is service-connected.,A gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right wrist disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), to include as secondary to service-connected sinus bradycardia. The left knee and shoulder disabilities are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action due to insufficient examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder injury was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded her claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and hiatal hernia, gastritis, and chronic distal esophagitis due to lack of evidence supporting her assertions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right elbow/shoulder conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2009.