Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for partial right shoulder rotator cuff tear with mild osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's range of motion is restricted to below shoulder level due to pain and flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete review of the evidence, including a lack of an adequate examination and missing medical records.

The Veteran's right shoulder sprain with superior labrum (SLAP) tear repair is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 70 percent but reduced to 50 percent effective March 1, 2020, and this reduction is upheld.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical records, specifically a March 2019 medical opinion from Dr. Jesse McCarron.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities since March 1, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met from this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, low back, and left hip conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder injury is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The nerve damage, arthritis of the cervical spine, and arthritis of the shoulders claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthropathy. The skin condition claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms met the criteria associated with a 70 percent disability rating, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder is denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with tendonitis, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, and bilateral shoulder strain with bicipital and rotator cuff tendonitis.,Reason: The evidence is at least evenly balanced that the Veteran's joint pains are related to his active duty service.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability was denied, and the Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the percentage requirements.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder strain is related to her military service and whether it causes symptoms separate from her service-connected radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, ankle, and foot disorders due to incomplete records from her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if there is any link between the current shoulder disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder avulsion injury and lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease have been denied. The VA has determined that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether her current right shoulder and arm conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected right ankle disability. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine strain and left shoulder strain as there was no evidence of a nexus to service, with the VA examiners concluding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his in-service injuries.