Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent disabling, and the left foot great toe fracture was not assigned a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of use of a goniometer during the VA examination, which is required for precise measurements of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for psoriasis, arthritis (including arthritis of the hand, fingers, and right shoulder), and a back disability due to additional evidence being associated with his case.

A 30 percent rating, but no higher, from September 16, 2009 to August 21, 2009 for residuals of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear with impingement syndrome (right shoulder disability) is granted.,A rating higher than 30 percent since August 22, 2019 for the right shoulder disability is denied. The appeal was remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and tension headaches are granted with an effective date of December 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in response to the July 2018 remand were inadequate and requires further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are tied to a not-yet-filed claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, which needs to be filed and adjudicated before further consideration can occur regarding his other service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's current back disabilities are being requested to be addressed in a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoporosis, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma with COPD. The decision also addresses the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disorders.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of right shoulder disability and denied his claim for service connection of lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for right trapezius strain (right shoulder disability) due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder disability may have been aggravated by service, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, low back, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder NOS with cannabis abuse and alcohol dependency is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he has such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the spine, shoulder arthritis, flat feet, a metal plate in the cervical spine, and back spasms as there was no evidence that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain missing VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's hearing loss, low back disability, and left shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral shoulder disability due to incomplete information from Social Security Administration (SSA) and United States Postal Service (USPS).

The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, perforated right ear drum, and cervical spine disability. The remaining claims of sinusitis, respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded as well.