Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the issue of rating a left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome due to previous remands and the need for updated medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding no credible evidence of an in-service event or injury that could cause such conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection was denied for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the presumption provisions. Memory loss was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation with abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side, is rated at 50 percent effective February 25, 2015, and ending December 20, 2017.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and left arm disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary causation or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart disease with cardiomyopathy, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus. The claims of service connection for left shin splints, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not rated higher than 20 percent due to limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for reopening the claims of left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, right knee pain, and a right shoulder condition. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and remanded the issue of increased rating for his left shoulder impingement syndrome. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for low back strain, left hand strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, neck strain, and left ankle strain due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition (fibromatous type changes and keloid) is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes bilateral cataracts and glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.,PTSD claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Bilateral hearing loss claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower back pain is remanded. Service connection for sciatica is also remanded.,An increased rating for diabetes mellitus secondary to cataracts and glaucoma is remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral ankle pain is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.,Service connection for lower back pain is remanded.,Service connection for sciatica is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2021 addendum.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hand disorders due to new evidence submitted after the September 2020 rating decision. The claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, currently diagnosed as glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, are granted service connection.,The Veteran's right clavicle and left clavicle disabilities, currently diagnosed as acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, are also granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for rating increases and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a different examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and denied entitlement to separate disability rating for insomnia since June 9, 2021.