Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development, specifically a need for a VA examination with range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.,For his left shoulder disorder, the Veteran's claim was also denied. The disability has been rated at the highest schedular rating available (30 percent) since June 1, 2015, based on limitation of motion not meeting higher criteria for ankylosis or impairment of the humerus.,The Veteran's left ankle disorder was found to warrant a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board noted that while there is pain during movement, it does not limit his range of motion below the levels required for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative changes were granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective March 20, 2019. The right shoulder mild degenerative joint disease was granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection as it first manifested during active service and was incurred in service. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has not been found to have increased in severity due to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left knee, low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is denied, and the effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating is denied prior to April 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to inadequate rationale in previous VA addendum opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new evidence being submitted after the August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ should review this new evidence in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to incomplete service records and insufficient examination findings. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional service treatment records from overseas hospitals and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart, left shoulder, and lung disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms are not considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a disability during service or chronicity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that any injuries sustained from parachute jumps did not lead to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and the need for additional neurological evaluation. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being evaluated again, including for any associated neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical examinations and a failure to ensure that VA met its duty to assist. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being reviewed again for an increased rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection as secondary to his right shoulder disability. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and TDIU prior to July 7, 2016, are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 27, 2021. From that date, his combined disability rating was 100 percent due to the combination of all his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete factual premises in the VA medical opinions and the need to address whether his diagnosed conditions are related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate as he does not have anatomical loss of both feet, one hand and one foot, or blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity. Additionally, his condition is not so severe that it requires assistance from another person to attend to daily activities.