Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines was granted, effective from November 20, 2017. Service connection for OSA and hypertension was also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's shoulder and gastrointestinal conditions and his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and respiratory disability. The claims of service connection for these conditions are not granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the claims were withdrawn by his representative during a hearing. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of his ankle and knee disabilities, as well as whether he has radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for extension of temporary total ratings and SMC, effectively dismissing these issues. The lumbar spine disorder claim was dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for avascular necrosis of the shoulders and hips have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, which is secondary to avascular necrosis of the hips, remains inapplicable as it cannot be decided without resolving the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for fibromyalgia was dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection of various disabilities, including hip, shoulder, and back conditions.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for TBI and a left wrist disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease and for his bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral knee, left shoulder, left ankle, sinus, and chronic bronchitis disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate reasoning in not addressing the theory of service connection involving obesity as an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for left shoulder DJD with recurrent dislocations was denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5200, as there are no findings of nonunion or loss of the head of the humerus. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and arthritis status-post replacement is granted a 10 percent rating from October 24, 2017; a 100 percent rating from July 19, 2018; and a 30 percent rating from August 19, 2019.,SMC based on housebound criteria is granted from July 19, 2018 to August 19, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and left hand disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of his right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine injury residuals including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as left shoulder neurological disability, both of which are determined to have originated during active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was remanded due to incomplete or unclear evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any new claims.