Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome, right knee meniscectomy, left knee replacement, and cervical spine disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the left shoulder disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities, all claimed to be due to frostbite during active duty. The RO is directed to obtain any outstanding VA or private treatment records, including those from Dr. T.G., and schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability, as the previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right shoulder disability, finding that the additional disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder and hip disorders must be remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since September 28, 2010. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the period from September 28, 2010 to October 31, 2013 and denied any further increase in rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and a left shoulder disability, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected knee or major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of right shoulder condition and left wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to compensation for various conditions including low back pain, pes planus, ocular migraine headache disability, and lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to a TDIU have also been resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's effective date for a 20% disability rating for left clavicle/shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as of January 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete development of records from his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the left knee disability including due to undiagnosed illness, leaving only the claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, left ankle disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral leg disabilities were granted. A rating of 10 percent was assigned for left knee chondromalacia from February 28, 2010.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and rating appeals, as well as his request for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings for a left shoulder/arm disability, PTSD with depression, and spondylosis of the cervical spine. The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not have its onset during any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of plantar warts, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions.