Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and residuals of traumatic brain injury are service-connected. However, due to conflicting opinions regarding Pick's disease, a remand is required for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied, and his TDIU claim was granted.

Service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine, hip and knee disabilities. TDIU prior to July 22, 2013 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical/lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions in prior decisions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities have been denied, as well as earlier effective dates for these ratings. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective June 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a current cervical disorder, including radiculopathy, is related to active duty service. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left shoulder and upper arm injury remains denied.

The Board has withdrawn the right shoulder claim and remanded the left knee and bilateral knee issues for further development. The Veteran's representative withdrew his right shoulder claim, and the left knee disability claim is being reopened due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder condition, lower back condition, neck condition, and bilateral knee condition.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right shoulder disabilities should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the level of additional range of motion loss caused by pain, weakness, fatigue, and lack of endurance with repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 13, 2010 for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder is denied. The earliest effective date available is October 13, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, and right hand disorder due to incomplete examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a higher rating for right shoulder strain/impingement syndrome. Other claims are not in appellate status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, residuals of a right shoulder injury, and sarcoidosis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors in the prior decision and remands the case for further development, including obtaining a full consent form, Social Security Administration records, and an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for right shoulder and the effective date for a separate 10 percent rating for left elbow based on limitation of supination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being reviewed to determine their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical evidence and need for clarification of the Veteran's right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, calluses of the feet with macerated tissue, and residuals of right shoulder separation, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).