Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted a rating of 30 percent prior to August 3, 2021 and a rating of 40 percent from August 3, 2021. The Veteran's right knee disability does not meet the criteria for a higher level of rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increase in SMC.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective May 12, 2010. The issues of increased ratings for COPD, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and bilateral flat feet are dismissed.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent, and his left varicocele with BPH warrants a separate rating of 20 percent. The Veteran does not have any service connection issues related to exposure or the PACT Act.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical records and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities. The right ankle disability case remains denied as a rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder, back, knee, and pulmonary issues, have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,An increased rating claim for right shoulder condition was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear findings regarding his in-service fall. The issues include service connection for various disorders, with a focus on determining whether the claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA rating decision did not include a medical examination for the Veteran's cervical disorder, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, and right inguinal hernia over the period from March 25, 2011 to June 11, 2020. As such, these ratings are remanded due to the lack of necessary evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder condition and a throat condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine and lumbar spine strain with bilateral sacroiliitis is granted. The issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disability, arthritis of the left hip, and arthritis of the right hip are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder, neck, and arm disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, as secondary to his service-connected neck disability, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to address his spine disabilities, including cervical and thoracolumbar conditions, as well as his left shoulder disability. The claims are being returned due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder began in service and continues to persist. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. Other skin, diabetes, eye, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bone loss, tinnitus, kidney, gallbladder, appendix tumor, rectal bleeding, headache, right leg nerve damage, left leg disability, sinusitis, and multi-site arthritis disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and trapezius muscle disorder are rated at the maximum 30 percent, but an increased rating higher than 30 percent for either condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional medical opinions due to non-compliance with previous instructions.