Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied, and a higher rating since August 27, 2020, is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right hand disabilities have been granted service connection, with a rating of 20% for the back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right shoulder disability and rating of bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 31, 2015 to June 5, 2019. From June 5, 2019, the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% rating for lung cancer and SMC based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for other conditions including a duodenal ulcer, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of the lower legs, cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the upper arm, right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service. The Veteran contends his disability is due to physical activities as an infantryman, carrying heavy rucksacks, and carrying equipment during service.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder disability is denied. A higher rating of 20 percent is granted from December 7, 2009 to May 18, 2011 and a higher rating of 30 percent is granted from May 18, 2011. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to June 7, 2017 is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and lower back disabilities, but the appeal regarding a respiratory disability is remanded.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, arthritis, gastrointestinal disability, and brain atrophy (as a residual of TBI) is denied.,The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide a precise listing of the Veteran's specific periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and stomach disability (excluding gallbladder removal residuals). The issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability, increased rating for headaches and cervical spine disability are remanded. The initial rating claim for right shoulder tendinopathy/tendinosis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient opinions and incomplete development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for joint hypermobility syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right scapular dysfunction, left knee meniscus tear, and right ankle disorder, all secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and he has been employed as a licensed vocational nurse throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and no rating assigned.