Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left shoulder disability have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain with mild DDD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied as it is not a disability under VA law and regulations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine strain, low back pain, degenerative joint diseases of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, allergic rhinitis, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hyperplasia, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and alcohol dependence disorder, finding that there is no direct or secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and back or neck disability due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain has not been manifested by limitation of motion of the minor arm to 25 degrees from side, and a 20 percent disability rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease began in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back condition, and heart disability due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to comply with previous directives.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disability was denied. The Board has remanded the issue due to conflicting evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric claim is also remanded as new evidence suggests a DSM-5 diagnosis may be warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a right shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The VA examiner is required to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or had their onset during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a rib disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the current diagnosis and active service.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being examined again to determine if it is related to in-service joint pain, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is being examined again to determine if it is linked to in-service anxiety.,The Board has remanded the issue of a rating for the service-connected left shoulder disability due to inadequate examination. The Veteran's current severity of this condition needs to be assessed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a left shoulder disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia with hallux valgus, and psoriasis with plantar warts. The decision found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim for hemorrhoids, and that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 31, 2011 until May 8, 2017 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or following gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple joint arthritis of the left shoulder, lumbar spine, and knees. The claim for bilateral nuclear sclerotic cataract is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his disabilities. The Board found that he was unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the claims for further medical development due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and failure to account for functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder adhesive capsulitis are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various shoulder, neck, and back disorders. The AOJ is required to obtain relevant medical records from Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and Tricare, schedule VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, and issue a Statement of Claim (SOC) regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for neck and back disorders.