Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been denied. The VA has determined that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, wrist, shoulder, and spine disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied. The Board upheld the denial of higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including arthritis and sarcoid arthropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records from December 1991 onwards. The VA is also requested to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his left shoulder disability during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and respiratory disabilities, as well as a compensable disability rating for his left ankle condition. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his left shoulder condition, which is secondary to his right shoulder disability, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder bursitis, left elbow medial epicondylitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is also considered to be service-connected.,Service connection was established based on the evidence showing that the Veteran experienced symptoms of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's time in Iraq.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously denied, and the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability are remanded.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will need a new examination to assess his current left shoulder disability severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's reports of flare-ups. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left humeral fracture (left shoulder disability) is now before the RO again.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including right eye disability, left eye disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and several joint and limb disabilities. The reasons are to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and headache disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided the most recent examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims related to bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left foot disorders are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements in the medical opinions provided. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder disability, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities are related to his service.