Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination used in the previous decision, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examination records and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 40 percent for his right shoulder disability prior to November 18, 2019 and denied in excess of 40 percent from that date.,The Veteran's radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent effective November 18, 2019.,The Veteran's scars are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Issues regarding back, neck, bilateral hearing loss, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, total disability rating based on individual unemployability are still pending and need further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at a noncompensable level prior to October 10, 2014. From that date onward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for his migraines.,For left shoulder tendonitis, the Veteran was initially granted a 20 percent rating and remains at this level.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition and for left arm peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure or as secondary to a left shoulder condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, shoulder, and GERD disabilities were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed all withdrawn issues related to PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, pinguecula, and other conditions. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% for the period prior to May 6, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran must provide his military personnel records, VA treatment records from January 2021 to present, and any outstanding private treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was involved in a motor vehicle accident in service and/or has the requisite service at Camp Lejeune. If so, an examiner will need to provide opinions on whether his right shoulder and back disabilities are related to active service, including due to the motor vehicle accident and contaminated water exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's duty status and travel during a motor vehicle accident in April 1967.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a labral tear and humerus impairment, is currently rated at 20 percent under DCs 5201 and 5202. The Board found that the evidence does not support higher ratings due to limitations in range of motion or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity and shoulder/wrist disorders need further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, right hip pain with functional impairment, and right knee meniscal tear, all found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's 1997 car accident injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease with tendinopathy and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy due to a lack of sufficient evidence in the record, particularly private treatment records. The Veteran contends that his bilateral shoulder disabilities are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the disabilities are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or related to his military service.,There were no in-service complaints, treatment records, or diagnoses of either condition. The Veteran did not provide credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. Effective March 2, 2009, he was granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's death.