Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for SSA records and private treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disease (arthritis) of the lumbar spine is granted, while other claims for various disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied in 1994, and he did not have any pending appeals at the time of his death. The Board found that the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected scars warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical radiculopathy and left shoulder disorder were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinus disorder, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability due to incomplete development of his service treatment records and inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess his functional limitations due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, upper GI disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hand disorder, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder are all subject to review.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder (secondary to a left knee disorder), left shoulder disorder, and sinusitis due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, have precluded his employability since June 18, 1983. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 18, 1983 on an extraschedular basis and dismissed the claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent medical examinations. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and a right shoulder condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis was rated at 20 percent prior to January 18, 2021 and increased to 30 percent effective January 18, 2021. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for the period prior to January 18, 2021 or from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to a service-connected disability, while other joint disorders are not. Service connection for the cervical spine and low back disorders remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for unspecified skin condition, right and left ankle disabilities, lower back pain, right shoulder injury, and left shoulder injury due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to inadequate rationale in the previous medical opinions. The case is returned for further development and consideration.