Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension, right shoulder adhesive capsulitis with bursitis and tendonitis, left shoulder adhesive capsulitis with bursitis and tendonitis, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and lumbar spine degenerative spondylosis have been granted service connection. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship between current migraine headaches and service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection was denied for headaches as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and internal derangement of left shoulder, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to October 2, 2019. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia. The claims for right shoulder, lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative changes, and atypical chest pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder disorder is remanded. He also has claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy, which are also remanded.,There are issues with effective dates for dependency benefits, service connection, and disabilities related to the Veteran's cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy. These issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The right elbow injury, right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis, and residuals of traumatic pneumothorax are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an increased rating of 20 percent or more for right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a scar on the left arm was granted. A rating of 70 percent was assigned for residuals of crush injuries to the left arm, characterized as damage to muscle groups V and VI, damage to the brachial artery, and damage to the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a left shoulder disability prior to July 8, 2014 was denied. Since July 8, 2014, a rating of 30 percent has been granted for the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a left wrist disability is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, anxiety disorder, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per the July 2017 remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder limitation of motion and recurrent dislocation are currently rated at 20 percent each, the highest possible rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities as there is no evidence of ankylosis or frequent episodes of dislocations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inconsistencies in the examination reports regarding range of motion. Additional records are needed, including VA treatment records and non-VA orthopedic records.

Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD and bronchitis. A higher rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, as well as hypertension and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,An increased rating for right shoulder strain is denied from November 17, 2020 onwards.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new examination, as per an August 2020 Joint Partial Motion for Remand (JPMR).