Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left shoulder disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to potential exposure to herbicides during active duty service. The Veteran's unit is not determined as having served in or near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his right shoulder chronic tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee instability. The Veteran also has service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical spine DJD and IVDS, left shoulder strain, left hip limitation of extension, left hip flexion, and left hip impairment of thigh have all been denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and a neck and upper back disability, both of which are claimed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA). The VA is required to adjudicate these issues under the AMA system.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further review, as the Board cannot grant a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 2, 2014. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left shoulder rotator cuff tears and impingement with acromioclavicular arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions from a VA examiner regarding the cause of the Veteran's left shoulder melanoma. The Veteran maintains that his service exposure to sun caused his condition, but the examiner stated it is unknown what causes melanomas.

The Board has granted service connection for status post cervical discectomy with intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, migraines, and depression with anxiety as these conditions are related to a neck injury sustained during active duty training in April 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the November 2019 VA examination report regarding additional functional impairment of the right shoulder during flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained are inadequate to adjudicate the claims with respect to service connection for thoracic spine, cervical spine, and elbow disabilities. The Veteran's reports of in-service injuries and ongoing pain since service discharge must be considered.,The Veteran is entitled to a remand for additional examinations regarding his claimed right knee osteoarthritis and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. Service connection for a bilateral knee condition, migraines, right eye injury, and left shoulder condition are denied. Service connection for a right shoulder condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to undergo more contemporaneous examinations to determine the current severity of his left knee, spine, shoulder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder, elbow, hand, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service or relationship to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion at a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability prior to June 20, 2017 was rated at 30 percent for limitation of motion. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to the functional impairment caused by pain and weakness.,From August 1, 2018, the Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 50 percent based on severe chronic residuals consisting of painful motion and weakness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and headache disabilities as secondary to his service-connected disabilities due to insufficient opinions from a VA examiner.