Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and secondary service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed due to lack of chronicity from service to diagnosis.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as they are reflected in the disability ratings assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic back pain, hypertension, neck condition, and right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after further examination and review.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, specifically left shoulder impingement with status post rupture of biceps, is rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his arm could still reach above shoulder level.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for left shoulder, back, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 13, 2005 and then increased to 20 percent from that date until April 28, 2011. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further evaluation of the condition after this period.

The Veteran's right arm fracture residuals and right shoulder disability have been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective as the decision was made.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including a scar on the chest, athlete's foot, arthritis of multiple joints, dental disorder, dry eye syndrome, left and right hand nerve disorders, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, depression, enlarged prostate/benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), frostbite, and PTSD. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factors.,The Veteran's claims for various disabilities were denied as there was insufficient evidence to support the assertions of in-service onset or a link between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that additional examination is necessary to fully assess the Veteran's report of intermittent left shoulder pain since his last period of active service and to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and a need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for his right shoulder disabilities and surgical scars, as well as his claim for TDIU. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right-shoulder disorder and lumbar-spine disorder after August 31, 2017 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right-shoulder disorder or in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar-spine disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for total right hip replacement.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremities and right shoulder conditions. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims that his current disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology.

The Board's decision on the increased rating claims for left and right shoulder tendinitis, as well as the lumbar strain (claimed as a back condition), is vacated due to denial of due process. The issues are now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is remanded for further VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service injuries and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.