Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain, lumbar spine with degenerative changes, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Other claims have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he qualify for housebound status based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for left shoulder disability prior to November 1, 2009 is granted. A higher rating of over 20 percent is denied throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and AC separation with DJD have been rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran argues for a higher rating. The Board has decided to remand this issue for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability due to incomplete information in previous examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disorders, foot disorders, asthma (respiratory disorder), right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted, effective May 1, 2018. The appeals for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy service connection and other issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the right shoulder and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the now-service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and bilateral shoulder and knee conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 18, 2014. As such, an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's left knee condition. Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain and left forearm epicondylitis and brachioradialis strain.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of aggravation of a pre-existing right shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to his PTSD, as he did not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment. His service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury residuals, including rotator cuff tendinitis, are granted. The left shoulder disability and weight gain issues remain pending for further evaluation. The lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck injury residuals ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for right inguinal hernia was denied, and his service connection claims for left shoulder disability, lumbosacral strain, and left ankle disability were not granted. The claim for right thumb disability is pending remand.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been established based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a failure to comply with prior instructions. The Veteran is required to provide additional VA treatment records, especially from Salisbury VAMC and Hickory VA OPC, as well as SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to receipt of additional evidence. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain all relevant records and readjudicate the cases.