Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's TDIU has been granted effective April 13, 2009. The Board also determined that an earlier effective date prior to January 13, 2011, is appropriate.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's nerve disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome was not incurred during her military service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current disability is linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right shoulder disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional examinations and for the issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing service connection for a left shoulder disability and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure. The VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including right arm and shoulder disabilities. The claim to reopen service connection for a right knee disability was denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of Diagnostic Code 5203.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to his active duty service and has not been caused or made worse by his service-connected right shoulder disability, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, characterized as arthritis, is rated at 10 percent since March 1, 2003.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his VA benefit payments.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last adjudication, and the Veteran's representative submitted additional private treatment records without waiving review by the AOJ.

The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection, but denied the underlying claim as there was no direct or presumptive link between his current right shoulder disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened and granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is also granted. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disorders are not related to his active service or are due to a nonservice-connected condition, and thus, denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee and shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids prior to May 14, 2013 and post-date January 1, 2011 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. Service treatment records do not indicate any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is being treated through counseling but does not meet the criteria for service connection.