Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff strain, finding that his disability manifested at shoulder level and did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal as it is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for right shoulder AC joint separation with degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bilateral shin/ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right shoulder claim.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has not manifested with left arm limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, and therefore, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with DJD is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 20 percent evaluation for right shoulder dislocation is granted. The Board also grants TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) was granted service connection as it manifested to a compensable degree within a year of her separation from active service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding low back disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as the previous examinations did not clearly state at what point during range of motion testing pain began.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from April 4, 2001 until March 20, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to July 23, 2019, are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left inguinal hernia, left knee disorder (secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis), and right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including left and right ankle disabilities, chest bursitis, shoulder bursitis, hip bursitis, gastritis, foot fungus, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected right shoulder disability and entitlement to a compensable rating for surgical scars of the right shoulder due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including psoriatic arthritis, kidney disorder, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right ankle disability. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional records, including National Guard and Reserve personnel records, SSA records, and private medical records from Strong Memorial Hospital and Cook County Hospital.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and alcohol use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and coronary artery disease due to inadequate development of evidence.