Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities. The reasons are that VA needs to obtain additional medical records from SSA, provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service, and consider new evidence including publications on whiplash injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is denied. The evidence does not support a finding of fibrous union, nonunion, or dislocation of the humerus, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5202. The Veteran's current range of motion limitations do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5201 and 5203.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected right wrist fracture. The separate secondary service connection claims for a right shoulder, forearm, elbow, and hand condition are also referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, ESRD, and depression and anxiety as secondary to ESRD are remanded due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The appeal also includes a request for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his knee disabilities, OSA, GERD, back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine headaches, and residuals of head injury due to incomplete records and the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the restoration of service connection for several conditions, including cervical spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, lumbar spine DDD, right thumb arthritis, and post-surgical scars. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with meniscal tear, and left shoulder osteoarthritis. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial in December 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service personal assault, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted. The neck disability, right shoulder disability, and right-hand disability are not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions as well as a low back condition due to insufficient evidence on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiac disability, higher initial ratings for left shoulder and back disabilities, and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's employment history needs clarification, and VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The underlying claim of service connection remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder and hip disabilities, which are currently considered secondary to service-connected residuals of a midline episiotomy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, also claimed as upper back and shoulder conditions due to inadequate response from the February 2021 examiner. The examiner did not address all diagnoses in the record, including those related to the shoulders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, headaches, and sleep apnea due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating increases for right shoulder recurrent dislocations and chronic cervical strain due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various joints and arthritis are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology since service, or a relationship to service.