Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding muscle atrophy and a right rotator cuff condition, which could impact the Veteran's disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to incomplete development. The initial evaluation for right shoulder strain, residual fracture of the right humerus, was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying her claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the appellant's left shoulder degenerative joint disease prior to October 26, 2016. This is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee total joint replacement, right knee replaced broken leg, numbness in left leg and foot (secondary to left knee total joint replacement), left shoulder arthritis, lower back/lumbago, left ankle, and sinusitis. The reasons provided include the lack of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.,The Board found that there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a service-connected right shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, bilateral feet is dismissed. The claim to reopen a back disability is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for sinusitis (claimed as congestion) is granted. The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development regarding ionizing radiation exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder degenerative joint disease and schizophrenia have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and his schizophrenia was determined to be less likely than not caused by service.

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

The Veteran's hip and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,His shoulder condition is also being remanded, with a focus on the relationship to his arm numbness.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for left hand impairment, right hand impairment, left shoulder impairment, right shoulder impairment, gastrointestinal impairment (claimed as sporadic internal bleeding), and heart impairment are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for these claims were inadequate and remanded again. The Veteran's service connection claims for shoulder, elbow, and hand disabilities are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for a right shoulder condition, trapezius strain, and anxiety due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right shoulder, right foot, and left foot disabilities have been granted. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and further proceedings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation for his left shoulder calcific tendonitis and a TDIU prior to December 9, 2014. The RO is instructed to obtain specific range of motion measurements from VA visits, request physical therapy records, and provide a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's condition.