Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a current disability or etiology related to in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and PTSD. The service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied, while the initial rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left shoulder, right foot, and left foot bone spurs.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that his current disabilities are the result of an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability and its connection to VA care. The Veteran is requested to provide private medical records from his October 2012 surgery, as well as any relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury with retained metallic residuals was not initially manifested by more than moderate muscle impairment, and from March 13, 2015, moderately severe muscle impairment. The Board denied the claim for higher ratings as the evidence did not show a moderately severe or severe injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned for the right shoulder disability, and no evaluation in excess of 50 percent was warranted for the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement is rated at 30 percent effective October 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's range of motion was limited to 40 degrees for flexion and 52 degrees for abduction, with pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, tailbone, and headaches disabilities due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining VA examinations and reviewing private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted, as well as his COPD claim. The right shoulder disability claim is pending due to the need for additional development.,Service connection was established for PTSD and COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and left shoulder disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for increased evaluation for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period, with no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is denied. A separate 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and a lumbosacral and thoracic sprain due to inadequate examinations in July 2017. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right shoulder injury and irritable bowel syndrome. The claims are being returned for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,New evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and peptic ulcer disease, all related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service-connected, and has remanded for further development regarding his right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequacies in the most recent VA medical opinions. The Veteran's DJD of thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and left knee are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his service-connected DJD of his left ankle and/or left hand.