Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left and right knee chondromalacia, and radiculopathy. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet, back condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hand condition, and left hand condition are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran's current renal toxicity (ESRD) is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis manifesting within one year after separation from service and concluding that the current diagnosis is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability was denied. The maximum evaluation of 40 percent is the highest allowed under Diagnostic Code 5201, which evaluates limitation of motion of the arm or shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, worsening of symptoms since previous examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, right and left knee instability, and cervical spine strain, rendered him unemployable from March 11, 2009 to December 29, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and instability are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A separate 20 percent rating for right shoulder instability has been granted since December 20, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, left leg injury, left leg scar, left shoulder injury, and head injury as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases of total disability due to individual unemployability prior to September 24, 2011 and service connection for a left shoulder condition, to include as secondary to a right shoulder condition. The Veteran's SSA Statement of Wage Earnings from February 2008 to September 2011 needs to be obtained, and an addendum opinion is required regarding the etiology of his left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy, a right shoulder disability, a cervical spine muscle disability, and a chronic pain syndrome due to additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reported symptoms and testimony regarding his right shoulder pain in service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity frostbite residuals, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disabilities, and gastrointestinal disorders. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, another remand is needed before the Board can adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. Service connection has been established for a recurrent right upper extremity neurological disability, a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, and a recurrent headache disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and right shoulder disability, but has remanded his claim for left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this disability. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims. The first issue is for a left shoulder disorder, and the second is for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Both cases require further examination and opinion from VA medical professionals.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury.