Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability, which was secondary to her service-connected neck disability, has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, right foot onychomycosis, and service-connected coronary artery disease were granted. The issues of service connection for arteriosclerosis, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical disorder, headache disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, dental disorder, obesity, and left foot onychomycosis are dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and low back disabilities. The appeal is being remanded due to inadequate or incomplete previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, and chest pain. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and other specified trauma and stress related disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and knee disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records. Additionally, a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a left shoulder disability or obesity that is related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral foot disability, shoulder disabilities, elbow disability, knee disability, and hand/finger disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence to support the conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his left shoulder disability was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability and right and left shoulder disabilities, have been remanded due to the need for further development.,An effective date earlier than March 2, 2006 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective opinions on passive range of motion at prior examinations.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is insufficient medical evidence to support a link between the Veteran’s current shoulder conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from October 19, 2006 and TDIU based on depressive disorder alone from October 25, 2019.,Effective October 25, 2019, the Veteran also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records, including STRs not reviewed by the RO. The Veteran is diagnosed with osteoarthritis of both her left knee and left shoulder that she asserts are related to in-service injuries. Additional medical opinions are needed based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disorder, as he claimed it was related to a fracture of his right clavicle during service. The case is being sent back for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for right shoulder strain was increased to 20 percent, but the appeal continues as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU at any time during the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Chiari I malformation with cervical syrinx, cervical DDD, bilateral knee disabilities, right elbow disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service or related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the issue of entitlement to a higher rating remains on appeal.

Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for circumcision scarring is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tear, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis (claimed as right shoulder disability) secondary to service-connected left ankle sprain with instability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected left elbow disability and to address claims for secondary service connection.