Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective March 21, 2015. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the left knee disability rating issue.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of their appeal regarding five specific service connection issues for various shoulder and thumb disabilities, which has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for various joint disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and right shoulder. The issues related to a right ankle disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their pre-service status and relationship to service.

The claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the current condition and military service. A new examination is required.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the merits of each claim remain denied. The Veteran's new evidence does not establish a current disability or an in-service incurrence.

A 30 percent disability rating for right shoulder disability is granted.,Effective January 21, 2016, service connection and compensation are awarded for left shoulder disability.,Effective January 21, 2016, service connection and compensation are awarded for right hip disability manifested by limited internal rotation.,Effective January 21, 2016, service connection and compensation are awarded for left hip disability manifested by limited internal rotation.,Effective January 21, 2016, a 10 percent rating is granted for right hip disability manifested by limited flexion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of right central serous retinopathy was denied.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, and left shoulder disability were also denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis was denied.,An effective date prior to December 1, 2015, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and a disability of the left side of back, finding insufficient evidence to establish a direct or secondary relationship with service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck and back disorders, as well as their associated radiculopathies. The Veteran is required to provide additional records from Texas Back Institute and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and residuals of gonorrhea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, claimed as left dominant shoulder dislocation and chronic tendinitis, was incurred during active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been decided. The decision grants a separate evaluation of 10 percent for RUE ulnar radiculopathy beginning June 19, 2013, but denies all other issues raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his recurrent right shoulder dislocation is being remanded due to the failure to schedule an examination after February 2019, and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's combined total disability rating is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for back, right shoulder, sinus and respiratory disorders are not fully developed and therefore remanded. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the VA examiner for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's separation from active service and the diagnosis of mild degenerative changes in the left acromioclavicular joint prior to his discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches prior to November 1, 2012 was denied. The Veteran also had her request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for impingement syndrome to include degenerative joint disease of the acromio-clavicular joint of the left shoulder (left shoulder disability) denied.,The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the January 1995 rating decision denying service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date based on CUE in this decision was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and headaches due to service. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.