Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes degenerative joint disease and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right shoulder DJD and cervical spine DDD have been granted at 20% and 20%, respectively, effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability was granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the period prior to January 17, 2017. For the period from January 17, 2017 onwards, a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 20, 2004 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's left shoulder and neurogenic bladder conditions may have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service. The left shoulder condition claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for both conditions will be evaluated again based on new evidence provided since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and new VA medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the right shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent. Both disabilities are currently rated under DC 5201 for bilateral shoulder tenosynovitis.,Neither condition has been shown to warrant a higher rating based on ankylosis or limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as they are related to service-connected right shoulder disability. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability are both denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 10, 2014 to September 25, 2016. Prior to this date, the Veteran worked full-time and has not been found unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury. The Board also denied service connection for left hand and shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied as there was no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current lumbar spine disability, left hand disability, or left shoulder disability to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder). The issues of TDIU and SMC are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain a new opinion and consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, BPH, sleep apnea, and several other conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis of the hands and denied service connection for bilateral eye disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria. The claims for residuals of a right fifth finger fracture, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tears, shoulder arthrofibrosis, and arthritis. The examiner is asked to consider the physical requirements of the Veteran’s MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in which he worked, such as hunched over, in confined spaces, while exposed to extremely wet and cold conditions, and with his arms extended.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and a statement from I.W.