Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, need for additional VA examinations, and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the functional impairment resulting from this disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities. The decision also includes a request for an initial compensable disability rating for migraine headaches. A new examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left third and fourth fingers, right ankle, low back disability, left shin scar, PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, stress fracture of the left tibia, right shoulder disability (prior to April 21, 2014), right clavicle disability, and right wrist disability have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of right fifth finger disability are also denied.,The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disability, left shin scar, and PTSD as there is no case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for the period from February 1, 2012 to February 1, 2013 and an initial 30 percent rating since February 1, 2013 for the Veteran's right knee disability. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher ratings are remanded due to need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine arthritis, and depression. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of right rotator cuff tendonitis and arthritis was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection, including left shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, and a left hand rash.

The Veteran's disability ratings for residuals of right and left shoulder injuries were initially granted in October 1996, but the effective dates have been adjusted to reflect new evidence received after May 27, 2015. The current rating is 10% for each shoulder injury prior to May 27, 2015, and 20% from that date.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, migraine headaches prior to September 22, 2014, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for right shoulder total arthroplasty is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating outside of temporary periods following implantation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should receive a new VA examination to determine if his right shoulder disability is related to service. The examiner will need to consider all relevant medical history and provide an opinion on whether any current right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service events.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for a right ankle disability, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and residuals of a right tarsonavicular fracture (right foot disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral artery disease, autonomic neuropathy, left shoulder traumatic arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral restless leg syndrome, and renal disorder. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for a left shoulder disability, service connection for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records pertaining to these conditions and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder DJD with right shoulder rotator cuff tear and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The claim for lumbosacral spine status post laminectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen it.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from a 30% rating to a 10% rating effective July 1, 2011. The 30% rating is restored as of October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain was granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective August 28, 2016.,For the period prior to August 28, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of such condition. The appeal was remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination.