Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right total knee replacement, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, right leg disability (radiculopathy), and left leg disability (radiculopathy) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for a left shoulder disorder and increased evaluations for cervical spine strain, right knee torn meniscus, right knee strain with internal derangement, limited extension in the right knee, and temporary total disability evaluation due to surgery for a left shoulder disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened and remanded due to the need for addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder post-total arthroplasty is rated at a 50% disability rating effective January 1, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's post-TSR left (minor) shoulder disability is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for a minor shoulder with severe painful motion and weakness. The appeal is denied as there are no additional factors that would warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient post-service medical records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's clinical records from the Allentown VAMC need to be obtained, and a clinician will provide opinions on whether the low back disorder and right shoulder disorder began in service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for shoulder and elbow residuals of a right brachial plexus injury, hand and wrist residuals of a right brachial plexus injury, and traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder have been upheld. The Veteran is now rated at 70 percent for hand and wrist residuals of a right brachial plexus injury from March 15, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. For the right shoulder disability, no higher evaluation was granted due to lack of limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level. For the bilateral knee disabilities, no higher evaluation was granted due to lack of flexion or extension limitations. The left shoulder condition was not found to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic and ocular conditions, as well as COPD or other pulmonary disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with degenerative joint disease. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for right elbow, wrist, ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA records may contain relevant evidence that is needed to make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete documentation of his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve from 1982 until his retirement in 2013, with multiple periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 23, 2002, to May 16, 2012. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities. However, it denied service connection for a right shoulder disability other than right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a puncture wound right foot, right shoulder and arm condition, and right-sided neck condition have been denied. The claim for the right foot puncture wound is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for the right shoulder and arm condition and right-sided neck condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her left shoulder disability, TDIU, and SMC(l) based on need for aid and attendance due to bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA records, and a new VA examination.