Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent. The lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective April 16, 2018 and a 50 percent rating effective April 27, 2017 for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and addressing specific issues related to the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is service-connected as it was incurred in service, with consideration of all relevant facts and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes of the right shoulder joint. The Board also ordered a remand for verification of the Veteran’s dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, the Board requested additional VA treatment records and scheduled the Veteran for a sinus examination to assess his claimed disability.

All appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder conditions are related to his in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to new evidence indicating worsening of symptoms and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded four service connection issues: left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, and left hip disabilities. The remaining issue is the left knee disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability and he is not entitled to an increased evaluation.

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) from July 10, 2006 to January 16, 2012 was denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) from January 17, 2012 to September 12, 2012 was denied.,Entitlement to a rating to 100 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) since September 13, 2012 to March 25, 2015 was granted, subject to the law and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,Entitlement to a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) beginning March 26, 2015 was granted, subject to the law and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,Right shoulder bursitis issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with functional loss and the need for clarification of VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right shoulder and arm injury is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability, as well as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that the condition was not incurred during active service and is not etiologically related to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back disorder. The issues of service connection for cervical spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right shoulder condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and updated medical records to determine the current severity of his left shoulder disability, including any secondary peripheral neuropathy. The VA must also consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence.