Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left shoulder, low back, and psoriasis disabilities have been granted service connection. However, the acquired psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder and PTSD) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the low back disability are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, a right shoulder injury, and tubulovillous adenoma of the colon. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tendonitis, right shoulder (major) is rated at 30 percent for the period prior to September 19, 2017. Ratings in excess of 20 percent are denied for left knee strain and right knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate assessments in previous examinations and the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder injuries. The claims of service connection for a left knee injury and bilateral feet urticaria are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and outstanding medical records. The Veteran is entitled to new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals concerning the issues of PTSD, right shoulder trapezius strain, migraine headaches, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition, including adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements regarding continuous pain since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right hip disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbances, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and GERD.

The Veteran's initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection to right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability within a year prior to the date of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the SMP claim due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining physical therapy records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will also be reassessed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals, right shoulder injury and surgery, as well as for residuals, left shoulder injury and surgery due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for a neurological impairment due to his service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and back disability, as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability due to inadequate etiology opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and right hip strain are remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.