Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is restored to a 30 percent rating effective November 1, 2015. A higher rating for the service-connected depressive disorder prior to August 22, 2016, is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as his claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The back and left knee disorder issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates were withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service connection due to the preponderance of evidence showing it was incurred during his military service.,Service connection for a skin condition (noted as persistent rash) is denied because there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including overall total body pain, bilateral knee condition, bilateral shoulder condition, back tumor, arm nerve damage, leg nerve damage, feet nerve damage, and low back condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the periods from September 2, 2011 to December 11, 2012, and from February 2, 2013 to December 3, 2016. The issue was dismissed prior to June 19, 2011 and from December 4, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disabilities and a right leg disability. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to lack of functional loss or additional limitation.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability based on painful motion.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a fractured right shoulder clavicle and service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for lumbago has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for new medical opinions as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider aggravation of his shoulder disabilities by a cervical spine disability. The Veteran will need to provide evidence of current sinus disability, if applicable.

The Board has dismissed the claims for numbness of the top and left side of the head, bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability as these issues have been resolved by a favorable rating decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder degenerative joint disease by MRI and left shoulder disability have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

Service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension (HTN) has been granted. The Veteran's radial neuropathy of the right wrist is now rated with an effective date prior to May 12, 2011.,The rating in excess of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability and the rating in excess of 10 percent for the right wrist disability are both remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and an in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for infertility due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, concluding there was no current diagnosis of infertility.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent from November 18, 2005 through January 28, 2013 and from May 1, 2013. The rating is denied as the Veteran’s arm motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee replacement was rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2006. The rating is denied as the Veteran's left knee did not exhibit chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, thumb, foot, ankle and aorta disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are manifestations or complications of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, multiple scars, and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The right hip disability, radiculopathy associated with the cervical and lumbar spine, and a right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequate duty to assist.