Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,The VA examinations confirmed the presence of current cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities but found no medical evidence linking them to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder diagnosed as insomnia has been granted.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury and that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since November 5, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU for this period of time but remanded the issue prior to November 5, 2019 due to lack of development.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that his current disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted, and an effective date of March 21, 1995, was established. The left shoulder disability issue is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The left ankle scar issue has been granted with an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 30, 2013. He is also in receipt of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU was granted prior to July 17, 2019.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and left ankle conditions due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment since August 29, 2012. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for removal of ribs with shortness of breath and left shoulder pain, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the condition was incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings for various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 30, 2019. The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating for the arm limitation of motion and remanded to determine if there are other conditions related to his service-connected disability that warrant additional compensation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder was denied. The Board also found that referral for an extraschedular rating was not warranted.