Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for an additional evaluation to determine the current severity of his condition, including any associated neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including left supraspinatus tendinopathy and AC joint arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The rating for the left arm impairment due to disk extrusion at C6-7 of the cervical spine has been increased to 60 percent effective October 23, 2006.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability (left supraspinatus tendinopathy and AC joint arthritis) is currently rated at 20 percent. The rating for left shoulder AC joint arthritis prior to May 1, 2021 has been decreased to noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

Service connection for a right elbow disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for left foot bunions, corns and calluses, right foot bunions, corns and calluses, bilateral foot fungus and peeling, and left and right foot numbness are all remanded.,Service connection for headaches is remanded.,Service connection for Bell's palsy is remanded.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted at a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for his right shoulder and right knee patellofemoral syndrome remain unchanged.

The Veteran's cervical strain, left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee condition (left and right), and bilateral shoulder condition have all been granted service connection with a 10% rating for the cervical strain.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The current rating takes into account limitations due to pain and limited motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of his National Guard records, outstanding VA treatment records, and new opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide addendum opinions as outlined in the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in connection with these claims were inadequate and remanded for further development. The Veteran's hip, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are being reviewed again to determine their severity since October 1, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for a rotator cuff tear of left shoulder with ORIF and arthroscopy, and service connection for a low back disability, need further examination and opinion to determine their validity.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergies, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are not service-connected. The heart disability and hypertension have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and verification of military service. The Veteran's hypertension and lumbar spine disorder are also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 31, 2018 and there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC prior to January 13, 2020 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC. However, from January 13, 2020, his TDIU based on his acquired psychiatric disability satisfied the requirement for a single disability rated total and combined with other disabilities, met the criteria for SMC.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, avascular necrosis of the right hip, avascular necrosis of the left hip, cellulitis, bilateral feet, bilateral pes planus (also claimed as tendonitis), radiculopathy, and right shoulder torn muscle. The Board has also remanded these reopened claims to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a VA examination.