Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities as he withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, postoperative left inguinal hernia repair residuals, right shoulder disability, and left hip disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

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

The Veteran's left hand trigger finger and left shoulder disability are being remanded for further examination and determination. The psychiatric issue is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for left shoulder DJD was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for loss of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and prostate cancer residuals.,Service connection is being remanded for loss of smell, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's right shoulder DJD is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to August 14, 2020, the Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent. From that date forward, it has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his left shoulder disorder and TDIU prior to May 28, 2015 are being remanded due to inadequate development. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of restoring a 20 percent rating for left shoulder tendonitis. The right shoulder arthritis is remanded to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected left shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for skin condition due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a stomach/esophagus disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's GERD is currently not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, but further clarification from an examiner is needed.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, GERD, bilateral leg disability (claimed as a gait condition), right shoulder disability, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lower back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to their potential secondary relationship with her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, as the current medical evidence is insufficient.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent right shoulder, testicular (epididymitis), and gastrointestinal disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a lower back disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability prevented him from maintaining any physical employment as he was unable to lift, grip, or perform overhead motions. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to April 29, 2015.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is on appeal for an initial compensable rating prior to April 5, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current disability to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve regurgitation and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet and left leg. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service, including environmental or toxic exposure during her Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claim will be reconsidered with additional medical evaluation.