Shoulder decisions — 2021

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder tendonitis and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The decision found no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss, need further review due to potential death of the Veteran. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and initial increased ratings for low back disability due to additional development needs. The Veteran's representative contends that his shoulder disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% and denied a higher rating. The right shoulder rotator cuff tear with tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthritis was previously rated at 20%, but the reduction to 30% has been found void ab initio. A higher rating for this condition after February 7, 2017 is also denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at a 30% rating since February 7, 2017, and no higher rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that it did not manifest during service and is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to her in-service duties.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, diverticulosis, small bowel obstruction associated with diverticulosis, acid reflux gastroenteritis, and a bilateral eye disability. The evidence does not support that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left or right hip disability during the appeal period.,There is also no evidence of a current left or right shoulder disability, and the Veteran's lay assertions cannot constitute competent medical evidence in support of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining clarification of the Veteran's service dates and obtaining medical records to support her claims. The claims include service connection for various foot conditions, shoulder conditions, and a wrist disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for arthralgia, low back disability, esophageal disability, and cardiac disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service and the claim for service connection is granted.,Service connection for right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee, shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders due to in-service cold exposure. Additional medical evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his bronchial asthma with obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, and service connection for high blood pressure, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder cannot be established.

The Board denied a separate rating for Muscle Group IV injury related to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and also denied a higher rating for limitation of motion of the right shoulder since March 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, back condition, and neck condition as secondary to epilepsy. The VA examinations did not provide adequate detail in their nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain updated information about his most recent employment and to request an opinion regarding the combined effects of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear.