Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and worsening symptoms of shoulder pain, numbness, and dysfunction. The VA will conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to the need for additional evidence regarding in-service chemical exposure and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been established through service connection and is considered for compensation.,New evidence received supports reopening of claims for right wrist condition, DMII (diabetes mellitus type II), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulders have been rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2010. The claims for higher ratings remain denied.,Service connection has not been granted for the Veteran’s thoracic strain and lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder and found that the reduction in his rating from 40 percent to 30 percent was improper. The Veteran is entitled to restoration of his previous 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder surgery did not result in doctor-mandated convalescence or severe post-operative residuals beyond August 31, 2016. Therefore, the temporary total rating for convalescence is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for his son, M.R., based on college attendance after he turned 18 years old. The appeal is dismissed as there are no legal grounds to grant the requested benefit.

The Veteran's service connection claims for herniated disc, lumbar spine and thoracic spine degenerative arthritis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, bilateral ankle disability, and left flatfoot (pes planus) have all been granted. The initial ratings are 10% for rib pain status post fracture, with no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left shoulder surgery is granted. The Veteran's increased disability evaluation claim for degenerative disc disease with mild bilateral facet arthrosis at L3, L4, L5 is also granted, with a 20% rating effective from October 16, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and heart condition was reopened. The claims for the gastrointestinal disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities were granted, while the claim for the heart condition was denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including reopening of service connection claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and he is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective August 31, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to this date has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and neck strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for whole body muscle spasms, a left shoulder injury, a right elbow disability, back pain, and a foot disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities require additional VA examinations to ensure proper evaluation and rating of his conditions. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder disability prior to June 12, 2014 was granted at a 50% level. From August 1, 2015 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 60%. The Board has remanded the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted from that date.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding no current disability or in-service event related to these conditions.