Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, radiculopathy in his bilateral lower extremities, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability prevented him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. For right shoulder and knee disabilities, the evidence showed no significant impairment warranting an increase beyond the current ratings. Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder disability prior to May 29, 2014 and from August 1, 2014 is denied. The claim for an extension of temporary total rating for the left shoulder disability beyond August 1, 2014 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability, to include as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate prior examinations and the need for retrospective opinions regarding functional impairment of the Veteran's right shoulder and left elbow.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected scleroderma. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 28, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, and right shoulder disability (residuals of surgery) as the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within a year after his military service. The Board also found that there was no evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left shoulder disability and left wrist carpal tunnel are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examination should address whether any left shoulder disability began during service, was noted during service with continuity of symptoms since service, or is related to other service-connected disabilities such as cervical spine disability or falls from a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, is granted an increased rating of 30 percent from November 29, 2017 to June 11, 2018. From August 1, 2019 to April 1, 2020, the Veteran's disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar on the left shoulder and left shoulder disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis.,Service connection is denied for tendonitis of the left elbow (also claimed as arthritis) and acromioclavicular arthrosis with impingement and rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, irregular walk, and a lipoma or liposarcoma of the right shoulder due to insufficient information regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as left and right shoulder conditions. The evidence is at least in balance regarding the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with lumbar degenerative spine disease, status post-surgical repair of right shoulder, chondromalacia of right knee, and chondromalacia of left knee (status post meniscus tear). The remand is due to the Board's reliance on May 2018 VA examinations that did not comply with Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty to assist error. He needs an examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar fibromyositis with IVDS is granted a 60 percent rating effective November 13, 2015. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left shoulder strain with arthritis is being remanded due to insufficient examination.