Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's SMP benefits at the housebound rate are granted due to his single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. However, SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as there is no evidence showing he requires such assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence, requiring further VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, right shoulder arthropathy, and bilateral hip arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence added to his file and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his active-duty service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of clear and unmistakable error in the May 29, 2012 rating decision that granted a 10 percent initial rating for left shoulder tendonitis. The Veteran argued that the correct rating should have been 20 percent based on painful motion under DC 5201.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for his claim of service connection for a right eye condition. Service connection is granted for intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine. The claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition directly to his active service or secondary to his service-connected left elbow disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further evaluation of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury and concluding that any present shoulder issues were less likely caused by his service-connected back problems.

The appeal on the issue of service connection for asthma, claimed as a lung condition secondary to lung infections is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to additional VA examination records being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for right shoulder tendonitis prior to November 7, 2019 was denied. The claim for a higher rating from November 7, 2019 to May 17, 2020 is also denied as the current assigned 40% rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an examination regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which may be related to his in-service fall. The issue of service connection remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder arthroplasty with scars was denied. However, he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected right shoulder arthroplasty with scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder condition. The issue of service connection is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder was previously remanded due to conflicting examination findings. The case is being returned for further clarification and evaluation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent for painful motion, and service connection for chronic venous insufficiency with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability, service connection for a cardiovascular disability, and service connection for a sleep disorder.,The Veteran's DVT is linked to his service-connected shoulder disability due to prolonged recumbent position caused by severe shoulder pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The Veteran's service records need to be obtained and added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and failure to address specific evidence.