Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeals as to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mild intermittent right shoulder joint and right trapezius strain, as well as left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous remands.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including GERD, IVDS, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right sternoclavicular joint injury with rotator cuff tear, and cervical strain, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder disabilities, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. Additional examinations are needed for the shoulder conditions, and development is required to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in addressing TDIU and SMC claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eczema and voice change disability has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder disability is dismissed as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for a left knee condition, right knee condition, degenerative changes in the thoracolumbar spine, and left shoulder condition.,Service connection is also denied for a right little toe condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her right shoulder injury, left leg sciatic nerve condition, migraines, and pelvic pain. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations by VA clinicians who will provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present within one year after separation from service and that the current condition is more likely due to his civilian occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and low back condition, as well as an increased rating for right shoulder strain status post rotator cuff surgery. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism manifested as myxedema during the appeal period, specifically since February 2014.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various hip and back conditions secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder disorder and right shoulder reflex sympathetic dystrophy were denied as the evidence did not show manifestations consistent with severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis of the upper radicular group.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 6, 2010, for the grant of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence showing he was unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions before that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional relevant evidence. The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to service, while his cognitive disability (including Alzheimer's disease) may be related to service.

The Board has determined that there was no substantial compliance with the February 2019 remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, headache disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder and hearing loss due to potential issues with the evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed in light of his alleged in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right knee condition are also being remanded.