Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and skin condition. The remaining issues have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of epididymitis, right hand disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, or left wrist disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 27, 2012, for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a neck condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are believed to be related to in-service car accidents.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and temporary 100 percent ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there was no evidence of a right shoulder injury or condition during her military service, and the medical opinion concluded that any current right shoulder disability is not related to her service.

The Veteran's left hip disability, gout, and shoulder disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for the left knee disability and arthralgia of multiple joints is granted based on new evidence submitted after the March 1983 decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disabilities and TDIU prior to February 15, 2006 due to outstanding records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and left elbow disorders, attributing them to known clinical diagnoses with no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right shoulder, bilateral hand, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities due to VA surgeries performed in February 2003 and August 2010. The Veteran is seeking additional disability ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) from January 2, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection was denied for thoracolumbar spine disorder and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, and impingement syndrome as well as low back degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both of which are determined to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.,There is no direct evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist arthritis and left shoulder disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent prior to March 13, 2015 and from November 1, 2016 to July 30, 2017. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the period of time between March 13, 2015 and September 22, 2016. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of various conditions, including a prostate disorder, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The left little finger disorder claim was granted to reopen but remains pending on the merits.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for right shoulder disability was granted, and the claim is now considered. Service connection for right shoulder disability is also granted. The Veteran's depressive disorder secondary to service-connected conditions is granted on an aggravation basis. Initial ratings are granted for right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and residuals of back strain.