Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran reported two in-service motor vehicle accidents, but records from these incidents are unavailable. A supplemental VA examination is needed to determine if the current right shoulder condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and requests for authorization forms.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, previously diagnosed as left shoulder impingement syndrome status post left clavicle fracture and now characterized as degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease, has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's claims for effective dates and ratings, due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service eating habits and is more likely due to a pre-existing condition. The cervical spine disability was also denied as it did not show an increase in severity during active duty.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied because there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during the Veteran's ACDUTRA, and her current condition is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his shoulder, back, and knee disabilities. The hypertension claim is also remanded with additional instructions.

The Veteran's skin condition, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and eye disability are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, right shoulder disability, and right foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, hip, and shoulder disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence shows limited motion to no less than 145 degrees of flexion and 90 degrees of abduction. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable, with mild internal hemorrhoids noted in the medical records.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, a sinus condition (including headaches), and hypertension is granted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability. The remaining issues of service connection and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral blepharoconjunctivitis are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for chondromalacia patella syndrome (right knee) and tendonitis (left shoulder), as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines, chronic sinusitis, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood have been remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, rated at 20 percent for arthritis, is not shown to warrant a higher rating as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as his thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD and IVDS), are granted initial minimum compensable ratings for the period prior to April 14, 2017.,For the period from July 11, 2011 to April 13, 2017, the Veteran's left shoulder calcific tendonitis is granted a minimum compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VistA images and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot pain and numbness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 8, 2017 to December 26, 2017. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically AC joint separation with degenerative joint disease, is rated at 30 percent from November 6, 2019. The rating remains denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, sleep apnea, and low back disability. The Veteran's left hip disability and right shoulder disability have been denied.,Service connection is granted for sinusitis as it is presumed to be related to active duty service.