Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU due to additional development being required. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and addressing the effect of flare-ups on the Veteran’s condition.

The Board has remanded three issues: 1) service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left ankle disorder, 2) service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left ankle disorder, and 3) an initial rating more than 20 percent from June 4, 2009 to February 15, 2011 and from September 1, 2011 and continuing thereafter for the Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for asthma or other lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, bilateral arm neuropathy, bilateral shoulder, left elbow, cervical spine, and left hip conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition was denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral foot disability are all remanded for further review. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD rating is also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee total replacement with degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease are all granted service connection. The Veteran’s right shoulder degenerative joint disease is also granted service connection.,Left knee muscle damage, nerve damage, and scar issues as well as a bilateral foot disability remain unresolved and require further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted, with the right shoulder rating restored to 40% effective June 1, 2018. The issue of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities due to missing records and inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral hip arthritis, and dermatitis conditions due to inadequate etiological opinions in the current file. The VA is directed to seek Social Security Administration (SSA) records and obtain new medical opinions regarding the onset and progression of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for corneal degeneration in the left eye was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, chronic cervical spine strain, and left knee patellar tendonitis were granted with a 20% rating effective from December 14, 2014. The claim for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and PTSD was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions due to inadequate previous VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which is required for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand and right shoulder disorders, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding the nexus element. The Veteran's exposure to cold weather and repetitive movements from driving during his military service is supported by his service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including right and left ankle disabilities, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, shoulder and knee conditions, and bilateral plantar fasciotomies. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, upper back injury, aggravation of pre-existing right knee condition, and aggravation of pre-existing bilateral foot condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.,The Veteran did not have any diagnosed disabilities related to his shoulders or back during service, and the current disabilities were not shown to be caused by service.