Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic injury or disease during service and no relationship to service. The Veteran's current condition was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is granted a rating of 20 percent, effective November 30, 2020.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied any increase in rating beyond 10 percent.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is denied any increase in rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 23, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability evaluations for his service-connected scars and basal cell carcinoma residuals are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination results.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity (claimed as left shoulder) disability, headache disability/migraines, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psychogenic seizures and subacromial bursitis right shoulder with surgical scar, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis starting May 2, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left ankle, as well as other issues. The Veteran's current diagnosis is a left shoulder strain, which began post-service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal for issues related to bilateral cataracts, increased ratings for radiculopathies of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves, and service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as the June 2001 rating decision denying this claim remains final. The Veteran's current left shoulder disorder must be evaluated by VA medical professionals to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastrointestinal disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple musculoskeletal disorders due to lack of complete development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to errors in the claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 3, 2012. The Veteran's death was also granted service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 23, 2017 for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of hernia, right shin splint/stress fracture with ankle impairment, left shin splint/stress fracture with ankle impairment, and migraines have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder injury and sleep disturbances due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, and elbow/wrist disabilities due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left and right sciatic neuropathy, right shoulder disability, right knee limitation of motion, left knee limitation of motion, and left knee instability. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.