Shoulder decisions — 2021

Service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis is granted. Service connection for loss of consciousness and right shoulder injury is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, cardiac disability (including heart palpitations), and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further examination and consideration due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder, right knee, and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including left foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis; right shoulder and left foot scars; residuals of lung cancer (status post right upper lobectomy and tube thoracotomy with emphysema); and muscle tension dyspenia. The Veteran's tinnitus appeal was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder as there is no confirmed current diagnosis of the condition and no evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected left shoulder disability, lumbar spine arthritis, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has also been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that it is related to his in-service right shoulder pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 50% since July 1, 2012 and the Board has denied a higher rating. TDIU was granted from July 1, 2012 to August 7, 2013; from October 1, 2014 to July 23, 2019; and from September 1, 2020 to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, raising the possibility of a link between his active duty service and his current shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for service-connected left knee, left ankle, right shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's fourth nerve palsy of the left eye is granted as incurred in service. The Board also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding valvular heart disease, back disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities did not incur during active service, were not caused by active service, and are not related to any service-connected disability. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete documentation and authorization requests. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for treatment records from Dr. CEMQ.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right shoulder fracture clavicle bone with degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU effective November 2, 2017.