Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic headaches, right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The decision is binding only for this specific matter.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his depression did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 20, 2020 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,His low back disorder and right shoulder bursitis with partial-thickness rotator cuff tear were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and right hip disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for left ankle disability due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, elbow, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the right shoulder, neck, right hip, and back did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, cervical, and right shoulder DJD, as well as lichen simplex chronicus, are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased symptom severity reported during his December 2020 hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, while denying a higher rating for her left shoulder disability.

The Veteran is rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities from April 12, 2012 to June 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and a need for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation. The Veteran's VR&E claim is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically right shoulder supraspinatus tear and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for lipomatosis with limited ROM of the right shoulder was denied. However, his claim for a compensable rating for residual painful scars status post lipoma removal and service connection for lipoma excision scars were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by a VA examiner. The claims are being remanded for new examinations and opinions from new examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder and left hand degenerative arthritis are granted service connection, as is the separate disability rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation of the left knee. The increased disability rating for left knee limitation of motion during flexion remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and sleep apnea.,For the right shoulder condition, the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability. Service connection is remanded for left shoulder and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, an initial rating for post-concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and adjustment disorder, with anxiety and insomnia, and a rating for tension headaches associated with post-concussion syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right shoulder conditions and potential clavicle or scapula issues.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for right ear hearing loss for service connection purposes.,There is no evidence of chronic bronchitis during or within one year after service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,No in-service knee, shoulder, or back disability was found. Service connection for these disabilities is denied.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is already service connected and does not preclude the granting of separate ratings for other joint conditions.