Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The current ratings of 20 percent each are maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed bilateral shoulder, ankle, and foot disorders. The Board will consider these issues again after receiving updated opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's left shoulder and low back disabilities, specifically whether they were aggravated by his periods of Active Duty Reserves (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since November 1, 2008. The Board has granted higher initial ratings for both shoulders.

The Board denied service connection for acid reflux, right shoulder disability including arthritis, and chest injury. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 30, 2016, and increased to 20 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence of functional loss or impairment beyond what is already contemplated by the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 40 percent since July 1, 2009 and from December 1, 2014 to August 30, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and leg disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right arm disabilities, which are currently on appeal. The remand includes obtaining a new VA examination and opinions regarding whether these conditions were incurred in or caused by her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and ensuring that any additional development is completed. The Veteran's left shoulder disability will be reviewed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, nor were they shown to be related to such service. The claims for neck condition and back condition were also denied.

The Veteran's claims were denied across multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for existing disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for her right shoulder disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for dependents is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee, foot, hip, shoulder, sleep disorder, asthma, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied in the March 1988, July 1988, and November 1989 rating decisions. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU was not raised again until October 28, 1997 when he submitted a statement indicating his work history was affected by hypertension. The Board granted an effective date of October 3, 1997 for the award of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision. The other issues remain unresolved.