Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected disease or injury is remanded due to the failure to obtain additional treatment records from Dr. W.D.W.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders due to incomplete development of records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which would be required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.,For the period from June 1, 2011 to September 9, 2011, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational experience.

The Veteran requested a personal hearing and informal conference regarding his service connection claims. The Board has not scheduled these hearings, so the case is being remanded to do so.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases in a previous decision. The issues are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a groin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's groin pain is attributed to his service-connected hip condition.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease, finding no current diagnosis of a heart disability during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left shoulder condition due to conflicting medical evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, which are claimed to be secondary to service-connected left hip, knee, and ankle disabilities. The Veteran contends that his use of a cane or walker due to his service-connected lower extremity conditions places stress on his shoulders, causing or aggravating his shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial disability rating for renal insufficiency is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records related to his kidney condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left shoulder DJD and left ankle fracture are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear status post repair.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a right elbow condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or are otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to make additional efforts to locate these records, including from West Point, Army Medical Activity, and NPRC.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, and the Board has remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted a 60% rating as of November 5, 2020. His hearing loss and scars are denied higher ratings. The Veteran's CAD remains at a 30% rating.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, finding that the current conditions were not present until years after active service and are not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The appeal regarding his back disability is being remanded due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart attack residuals and a left shoulder condition, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and PTSD disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 5, 2009. The Board denied entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular consideration basis.