Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed all claims due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal for each issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative conditions in multiple joints, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, also claimed as labral tears and bursitis is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to June 19, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent. From that date onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar strain condition with bulging discs is currently rated at 40 percent and denied for an increase.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis was initially rated at 20 percent from May 20, 2014 to May 5, 2019, and then increased to 30 percent effective May 6, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus disorder and nosebleeds, and remanded the issue of increased rating for right shoulder limitation of motion. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder arthritis and impingement syndrome, left shoulder glenohumeral arthritis, lower back degenerative joint disease, and anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 28, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right and left shoulder strains, as well as his right and left knee strains, were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings of 20% for shoulders and 10% for knees did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion. For the period from October 1, 2014 to April 28, 2017, a TDIU was granted but has since been rendered moot due to the Veteran's current high disability rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes a fracture of the clavicle with residuals of rotator cuff repair and arthroscopy, has been rated at 20 percent since January 28, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The appeal for service connection for teeth degeneration is dismissed. The application to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, heart disorder, and eye disorder remains pending.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from June 27, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction was denied, and his claim for an effective date prior to July 20, 2015 for the award of TDIU benefits was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder separation and right knee limitation of extension, as well as a rating reduction issue. The effective date earlier than March 17, 2009 claim is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which resulted from a surgical repair of recurrent dislocation, is rated at 30 percent. The rating reflects limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient reasons and bases in the July 2018 decision, including failure to consider the Veteran's statements of painful motion during an August 2012 VA examination and a May 2017 VA examiner’s failure to test the right shoulder for pain on passive motion.