Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, as well as his right shoulder osteoarthritis with replacement, were denied. The rating decisions maintained existing disability evaluations.

The Veteran's TDIU is denied as his date of entitlement to a schedular TDIU is March 31, 2018. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the economic component of a TDIU prior to March 30, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis for his left shoulder disability, including postoperative residuals of the left shoulder replacement, was denied as the impairment is contemplated by the applicable schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right shoulder disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the current conditions, and did not find any new evidence that would reopen his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a gastrointestinal/bowel disorder and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to provide requested authorizations for self-identified critical evidence. The VA will seek and secure complete OWCP records for his on-the-job injuries and clinical records of all evaluations and treatment he received for his shoulder disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's torn tendon left shoulder condition. The claim will be reviewed again with additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, chronic headaches (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep apnea are being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for the period from March 1, 2014 to February 15, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU for the period from November 15, 2012 to February 15, 2013 is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral vision loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, but the claims regarding left shoulder disabilities remain on appeal and need to be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine myositis, including focal annular tear/small left paracentral disc protrusion at L5/S1. The claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 4, 2005 through April 18, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right knee arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to new evidence received after the April 2016 rating decision. The Veteran reported incidents of falling from aircraft during service which may be related to his current disabilities.