Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain with radicular symptoms is now rated at 20 percent, effective from August 25, 2018. The left shoulder arthritis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board dismissed all pending appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, bilateral hip disorder, elbow disorder, shoulder disorder, hand disorder, and eye disorder (claimed as blindness), are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to obtain relevant treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the left shoulder, bilateral elbows, and hips, finding no direct or presumptive service connection due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and cervical strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted a 20% rating, effective from the dates specified. Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the right shoulder has also been granted.,A higher rating for AC joint arthritis of the right shoulder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent. The claims for service connection for other conditions were denied, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and fibromyalgia, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including a VA examination to address the current severity of the status post cholecystectomy and the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis and service. The right knee disability and left shoulder disability claims are also being remanded for additional opinions regarding their ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's lay assertions of chronicity and continuity of symptoms since service are to be considered.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and granted a non-compensable rating for eczema/atopic dermatitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders is remanded.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and her service. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by her active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic left shoulder and low back pain over the years, as well as his ongoing duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and etiology opinions regarding her right shoulder, left shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis conditions.

Service connection for skin cancer is granted. Service connection for back condition and left shoulder scarring/disfigurement are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection. The initial rating for MDD remains at 70%. The effective date for TDIU is set at May 4, 2016. Service connection for dry eye syndrome and low back disability are remanded. Service connection for right shoulder disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,LLE radiculopathy is secondary to lumbar IVDS, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right rotator cuff tear and left shoulder bursitis, both secondary to service-connected bilateral shoulder dislocation. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims on appeal.