Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and VA's Director of Compensation Service found that he is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right shoulder conditions, back condition, and neck condition. The Board also remanded issues regarding rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot hallux valgus with arthritis in the MTP joint, beginning January 9, 2013, to include on an extraschedular basis; rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus with arthritis in the MTP joint, beginning January 9, 2013, to include on an extraschedular basis; and TDIU prior to January 7, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated during service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury and did not occur within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible reports of its onset during service, resolving all doubts in his favor. Service connection for neck disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, right shoulder disorder, and left ankle disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis is related to his service-connected psoriasis and grants service connection for all claimed conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, restless leg syndrome, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, and cervical strain. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion sufficient for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence supporting a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current left shoulder condition and service-connected right shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back or neck disability and bilateral shoulder disability due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during and after service, as well as a private treatment record, need to be considered in the new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a TDIU claim, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU. The VA will need to consider whether his disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle sprain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder rotator cuff injuries, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction (ED) and cervical spine strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to his active duty service.