Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, esophageal hiatal hernia with narrowing of esophagogastric junction, unspecified anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis with calcified peri-tendinosis in both shoulders, and dermatitis, eczematous, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is related to her service, including in-service microtraumas and a motor vehicle accident. The decision also requires an opinion on whether this condition is secondary to her service-connected TMJ disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders due to incomplete STRs from his periods of service after March 2000. The Veteran needs to provide complete STRs and clarify which shoulder he is claiming service connection for.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and ankle conditions, left shoulder arthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis, are found to likely preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral shoulder pain due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and bilateral knee disabilities (degenerative joint disease) are granted as service-connected. The claim for a fracture of the clavicle is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not manifest during service or within one year of service, and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, neck, and low back disorders. Service connection is also granted for vertigo but the issues related to stomach ulcers, perforated bowel, and GERD are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her active duty service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to outdated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The Veteran is asked to provide any outstanding medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a sleep disorder due to additional development being necessary. The VA examiner is asked to address the Veteran's lay evidence regarding his symptoms and any intercurrent causes, such as a motor vehicle accident in 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, bilateral shoulder and hearing loss, and migraine headaches, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2006. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at this date.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the case is remanded for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities leave him in need of regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her service.,There is no credible evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board has remanded this issue.,Service connection claims for cervical spine/stenosis neck injury, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability were also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, IBS, and other conditions, are rated at a combined score of 90 percent. The VA has determined that these disabilities render the Veteran unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.