Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg, right leg, right shoulder, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right knee strain and service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher or separate ratings based on limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was determined to be less likely caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and reliance on lay evidence. The case is being returned to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent from March 22, 2011 to May 23, 2016. After that period, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and left ankle conditions for further development. Specifically, a VA examiner is to review relevant articles and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD or Gulf War environmental hazards.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and will provide further consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left knee strain status post anterior cruciate ligament tear surgical repair, and right shoulder impingement syndrome status post-surgical repair.

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

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, right knee disabilities, left knee disability, and ankle tarsal tunnel syndromes. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to in-service injuries or symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for depression, anxiety, PTSD, low back condition, right hand condition, hypertension, and memory loss have been granted. The claim for increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder condition and increased initial disability rating for right knee condition remain denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements, was rated at 20% from August 12, 2015 to January 27, 2021. After a VA examination in February 2021, which found limited motion of the left shoulder with flexion and abduction limited to less than 25 degrees, resulting in ankylosis, the Veteran's disability was rated at 40% from January 27, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The July 2009 rating decision denying the claim was final.

For the period prior to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,From October 15, 2018, the Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and low back disability due to in-service injuries sustained during combat operations.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since January 15, 2021. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of right shoulder pain/arthritis and hypertension due to lack of documentation in the service or post-service records.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as DJD, was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 20, 2010. From December 20, 2010 to May 18, 2011, his disability was rated at 30 percent and from July 1, 2012 onwards, it remained at the same level of 30 percent.