Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder and bicep tendonitis are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU benefits effective August 27, 2015. The appeal regarding reopening his mental health condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for eczema and service connection for a left shoulder disorder were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for eczema, as it covered less than 5% of his total body area and required only topical medication. For the left shoulder disorder, the VA examiner concluded there was no in-service injury or relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for fibromyalgia due to withdrawal. The right shoulder condition, vision deterioration, left hip condition, and right hip condition claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for the service-connected left shoulder, left thumb, and right thumb conditions have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 15, 2008 due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for an age-related cataract and diabetes mellitus, but granted effective dates prior to the Veteran's discharge. The claim for residuals of inner ear infection is remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for PTSD is also remanded as the VA examiner did not address all relevant in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need to obtain relevant service and private treatment records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected shoulder and neck disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and right shoulder and knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic right shoulder pain, depression, and bilateral pes planus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any in-service injury caused such disabilities.,Service connection was not granted for chronic alcoholism due to lack of service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except hypertension is remanded. The Board will consider the claim of service connection for hypertension, which may be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider all relevant evidence. Specifically, new VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his gout, migraines, right shoulder disability, and upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection. The remaining issues of radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as right shoulder strain and right knee arthritis with chondromalacia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities. Service connection was granted for limitation of motion of the right shoulder as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, sciatica, and partial acromioclavicular joint separation of the right shoulder. Bilateral foot disability is denied.,Secondary service connection was also granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, right hip, left hip, right shoulder, and right elbow conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's painful scars status post left shoulder surgery are not both painful and unstable, thus denying a rating in excess of 20 percent. The case is remanded for further development to determine if additional residuals from his surgeries have occurred and whether his right shoulder disability is related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and a need for an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.