Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, varicose veins of the right lower extremity, and varicose veins of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflected the severity of the conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder rotator cuff disability as there was no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation, and the VA examiner concluded that the condition is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of a worsening cervical spine disability and related symptoms require an updated VA examination. The issues include rating adjustments for various disabilities, including those affecting the upper extremities, shoulders, head, and jaw.

The Board has granted service connection for an upper back disability, a low back disability, and a right shoulder disability. The claims are remanded for further development regarding the increased rating claim for the right hand.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left shoulder strain with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scalp scars was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and heart condition, to include trivial mitral regurgitation (MR), as well as an increased rating for lumbar strain.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and heart condition are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for PTSD and left shoulder disorder. Specifically, a VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and to determine whether he has a current left shoulder disorder related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition was granted. His initial rating for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, was increased from 10% to 20%. The earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and mood disorder due to chronic pain with depressive features were granted. However, the earlier effective date for DDD thoracolumbar spine was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for high cholesterol, PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, scar from cesarean sections, hysterectomy, left oophorectomy, tinnitus, pelvic pain after childbirth, right shoulder dislocation, rhinitis and sinusitis (claimed as allergies), bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, eczema, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and severe alopecia (claimed as cicatrical scarring alopecia) for additional development to verify service records.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to attend VA examinations for these issues.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30% from March 13, 2018 to prior to September 4, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for joint pains because it was related to previously granted claims for shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices, such as a wheelchair or cane. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for this reason.

The Board has granted service connection for back, neck, left shoulder, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity disorders on a direct basis. The Veteran's current diagnoses of DJD (degenerative joint disease) of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hips, and shoulders are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is proximately due to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The right shoulder condition claim is being remanded for a VA examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and entitlement to an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence connecting the Veteran’s current conditions to his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 15, 2016 to August 21, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied. The left shoulder sprain is rated at 20 percent, the left ankle disability from September 8, 2011 to July 11, 2019 is also rated at 20 percent, and for any period after that, a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU has been rendered moot due to his receipt of a combined 100% schedular disability rating.