Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity amputation.,A rating higher than 40 percent for left knee traumatic below-joint amputation is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of congestive heart disease with cardiomyopathy due to new and material evidence. The claims for left and right shoulder disorders are remanded as there is insufficient information on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to use of crutches.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left knee disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, left arm, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent, and the radiculopathy of both upper extremities are also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, including any symptoms or functional impairment other than limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD and recurrent dislocation were denied as the ratings assigned did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's verified service periods and new medical evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for left shoulder injury, cervical spine disability, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which manifested pain at 25 degrees of flexion and abduction, is granted a 30 percent disability rating for the entire initial rating period prior to March 1, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider functional loss and flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, respiratory disability, and bilateral eye disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has been reopened, but the Board finds no evidence to support his current diagnosis and thus denies the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disorder is denied due to a lack of diagnosed disability or credible medical opinion linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of cerebrovascular disease (CVA) is denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded, indicating further investigation and evidence may be needed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant more than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, and the appeal is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right shoulder disability prior to December 23, 2019 was denied as the condition did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder strain and its relationship to her service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right shoulder disability, which may include strain, impingement, or bursitis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service and continuous symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain and pain are related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from October 11, 2006 to February 23, 2009 was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.