Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no basis for assigning an earlier effective date as the denial in the December 2006 final rating decision precludes such a determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, effective from October 6, 2014. The appeals to service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied as his current diagnoses are not related to his period of active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder reconstruction surgery rating was also denied, with the RO granting him a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and for entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from the Veteran’s chiropractor, and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's diagnosed allergic rhinitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, request private medical records if necessary, and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU on March 13, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder (excluding PTSD), was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining STRs and SPRs.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is denied as the earliest date of claim is March 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability due to insufficient rationale in the June 2015 VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to an incident during service where shrapnel was lodged in his body.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder rotator cuff impingement and tendonitis, as well as left knee synovitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient evidence to establish that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition, including a rotator cuff tear and AC joint arthritis, is related to his service due to conflicting medical opinions. As such, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the back, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral knees, as well as his claim for benign prostate hypertrophy with urinary obstruction secondary to diabetes mellitus and medications taken for service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records from 1989 to the present, including those from the Michigan Healthcare Systems and VA Clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are also directed to conduct any additional development needed and obtain an addendum opinion regarding these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with disc bulge is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The right shoulder DJD and both knee chondromalacia conditions are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease is rated at 30% since September 24, 2012. The effective date for service connection remains denied.