Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition and for left arm peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure or as secondary to a left shoulder condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, shoulder, and GERD disabilities were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed all withdrawn issues related to PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, pinguecula, and other conditions. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% for the period prior to May 6, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran must provide his military personnel records, VA treatment records from January 2021 to present, and any outstanding private treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was involved in a motor vehicle accident in service and/or has the requisite service at Camp Lejeune. If so, an examiner will need to provide opinions on whether his right shoulder and back disabilities are related to active service, including due to the motor vehicle accident and contaminated water exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's duty status and travel during a motor vehicle accident in April 1967.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a labral tear and humerus impairment, is currently rated at 20 percent under DCs 5201 and 5202. The Board found that the evidence does not support higher ratings due to limitations in range of motion or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity and shoulder/wrist disorders need further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, right hip pain with functional impairment, and right knee meniscal tear, all found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's 1997 car accident injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease with tendinopathy and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy due to a lack of sufficient evidence in the record, particularly private treatment records. The Veteran contends that his bilateral shoulder disabilities are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the disabilities are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or related to his military service.,There were no in-service complaints, treatment records, or diagnoses of either condition. The Veteran did not provide credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. Effective March 2, 2009, he was granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes degenerative joint disease and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right shoulder DJD and cervical spine DDD have been granted at 20% and 20%, respectively, effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability was granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the period prior to January 17, 2017. For the period from January 17, 2017 onwards, a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 20, 2004 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's left shoulder and neurogenic bladder conditions may have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service. The left shoulder condition claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for both conditions will be evaluated again based on new evidence provided since the previous denial.