Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.,VA has determined that the Veteran’s back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 20%. The VA examination report is inadequate due to missing range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, back, shoulder, and neck disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now pending for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, residual scar, and scalp laceration have been denied. The Board found no basis to grant the requested increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and right hand disability due to incomplete medical records and potential issues under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings is REMANDED due to outstanding VA treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and issues not addressed in the Statement of the Case.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is also REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was incurred during active duty service in Vietnam, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and record development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand disability, right knee condition, hypertension, stab in the belt area, and shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.,There is no clear indication that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted as service connected. The VA will remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding chronic sinusitis, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted service connection. Compensable ratings are denied for left and right hip disabilities, and a rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. His claim for increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease was granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left shoulder disability has been granted at a 20% level. However, the issue of an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability, other than her service-connected residuals of a ganglion cyst. The claims for bilateral foot disability and menstrual disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, cervical spine, right shoulder, right arm, and right-hand disabilities. The claim for a right leg disability is also granted. Service connection was denied for a rib cage disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The Veteran is granted a temporary 100% rating for his left shoulder prosthetic replacement and an initial 20% rating for his diabetes mellitus. He is also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. His tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right shoulder disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was previously awarded a 10% rating from December 2005 to March 2007, which has now been raised to 20%. His right shoulder disability remains at 20% since July 2011.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder and right hand disabilities secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The initial evaluation for left knee arthritis was denied, as were evaluations greater than 20 percent for right knee cruciate ligament instability and internal derangement prior to May 16, 2014, and from July 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis and evidence consideration, including the Veteran's right shoulder being his non-dominant arm and specific limitations caused by the disability on his occupational functioning.