Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, headache disability, and left shoulder disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a link to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and associated neurological disabilities have rendered him physically incapable of meeting the demands of full-time employment, allowing for a TDIU effective prior to August 8, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically concerning flare-ups and functional limitations. The Veteran needs to undergo a new VA examination to provide this information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied compensation for right wrist tendonitis and left shoulder rotator cuff tear, finding that the disabilities were not caused by VA medical care.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for shin splints, right ankle, left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and low back disabilities have been reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis as these conditions are found to have started during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder and spine conditions. The examiner relied on outdated findings and did not consider the Veteran’s reports of increased wear and tear on the right shoulder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and right hand conditions. The Board found that these conditions are not related to any incident or injury during active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his back disability. The main reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the left knee disability, determining whether the left shoulder disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition, and addressing the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 28, 2016.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which was rated at 50 percent since February 21, 2012, has not met the criteria for a higher rating during any of the periods under consideration. The highest possible rating is 50 percent, as per Diagnostic Code (DC) 5051.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, right knee disorder, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since April 6, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Prior to June 1, 2011, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. After that date, he was granted TDIU again.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right shoulder disorders, as well as higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hand disability.