Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability due to incomplete information and lack of access to records regarding surgical procedures. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service treatment records showed no complaints or abnormalities of the left hand or shoulder during military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including recurrent dislocation and multiple surgeries, is currently rated at 60 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran contends that these conditions are related to his in-service cook duties and/or secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with back muscle spasms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further examination and rating considerations regarding his bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining military personnel records, SSA disability claim information, and Veteran Readiness and Employment Service benefits records.

The Veteran's ratings for arthritis of the right and left shoulders have been granted, with a rating in excess of 20 percent denied. Other issues on appeal are either remanded or dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and adjudicating the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and pes planus disorders. The previous denials were based on a lack of current disabilities related to military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left or right shoulder conditions, as there are no current diagnoses for the left shoulder condition. The Veteran's active service may be associated with his bilateral shoulder pain.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's shoulder, back, and wrist disabilities are inadequate due to their age. The Board also notes that recent evidence indicates the Veteran's conditions have worsened. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for new evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a lumbar spine condition have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is also being remanded.,New evidence has not yet been submitted in support of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for clarification of diagnoses and functional loss.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for COPD, asbestos exposure, and emphysema as a result of asbestos exposure. The right shoulder adhesive capsulitis with arthritis was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral knee disorder due to the absence of current disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The Veteran's lower back disability remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for lumbar strain and right shoulder strain, including as secondary to a left shoulder disability. Additional evidence was added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).