Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and musculoskeletal disability of the left shoulder have been granted service connection. The claim for a disability of the left elbow, including ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome, is remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent since August 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including post-operative ruptured biceps muscle, is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's emergency treatment at Florida Hospital on August 13 and 17, 2014 was approved as it met the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 due to the urgency of his condition and lack of availability of VA facilities.

The Veteran is granted an initial compensable rating of 20 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tear from January 14, 2017.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tear from October 24, 2019 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, as well as for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right and left knees due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but the issues of service connection for a right arm disability and numbness of thumb and index finger remain pending. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. Service connection is granted for neck and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The Board finds that the current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely caused by in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's degenerative changes of the right shoulder had onset in service and has been continuously present since then.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, atherosclerotic heart disease, bilateral loss of vision, a bilateral leg disability, neuropathy of the back, right shoulder disability, abdominal aneurysm, and kidney disease. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, left elbow, and right hand disabilities due to insufficient development in prior examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a rating of 30 percent for the period from January 23, 2014 to August 21, 2014. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand, left shoulder, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all four issues related to service connection for various conditions of the left arm, as they have already been resolved through previous decisions or are pending in other appeals.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for ratings related to chronic kidney disease, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder unresolved.

The Board has denied service connection for a disability manifested by joint discomfort of the fingers, hands, and shoulders due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and shoulder disorders due to incomplete records, including right knee surgery records. The Veteran is also seeking opinions on whether his current knee and shoulder conditions are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.