Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's deviated septum, migraine headaches, and right shoulder strain are all granted service connection. However, his bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 4, 2009. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, and the issues of rating his service-connected conditions were remanded.

An effective date of August 21, 1997 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The Veteran's right knee scar associated with her surgery is not compensable, the effective date for lumbar spondylosis is denied, and additional examinations are needed to assess shoulder disabilities, bilateral knee conditions, and lumbar spondylosis.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to be severe enough to require regular aid and attendance or render him permanently housebound, as his need for assistance was attributed to non-service connected disabilities. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied in June 2009. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim, as there is no evidence showing that his preexisting condition worsened during service. His claims for increased evaluations of left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis changes of the lumbosacral spine from 20 to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2013, was proper. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to uncertainty regarding her left wrist and right shoulder disabilities, as well as potential additional injuries from VA treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine compression fracture. The claim for a higher disability rating for the lumbar spine compression fracture is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for right shoulder arthropathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and TDIU due to unemployability. Additional medical records are needed, as well as an updated VA examination for both right shoulder and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, lower back condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus, left shoulder condition, left-hand degenerative joint disease (DJD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if his right shoulder condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and evaluation, including those related to left shoulder strain, sacroiliac injury, bilateral knee tendonitis/tendonosis, IBS, and allergies. Higher initial ratings have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The AOJ will provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.