Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's service connection claims for further examination and review due to incomplete STRs and insufficient examinations in September 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his tinnitus, joint condition (bilateral shoulder tendonitis), thoracolumbar spine disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder capsular shift and left shoulder tendonitis. The effective date for a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder tendonitis was granted from July 3, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum expert opinion to address whether the Veteran currently suffers from residuals of a head injury, including traumatic brain injury. The initial rating for right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome prior to March 25, 2015 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence addressing the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date was dismissed due to his death, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for increased rating of left shoulder strain with arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected left shoulder strain with arthritis is denied. The current evaluation of 20 percent is the highest possible under applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness from Persian Gulf War service, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, thus reopening the claim. However, further development is needed as there are missing relevant treatment records from the Veteran's worker's compensation claim and an inaccurate factual background in the October 2016 medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will schedule examinations to determine if there are any underlying disabilities, whether they are related to service, and if so, what rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at 40 percent from August 23, 2017 to November 5, 2018, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, left hip, and left ankle, as well as PTSD. The claims for a respiratory disorder are also remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and hypertension, as well as her request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The appeals were denied due to lack of new and material evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further examination and evaluation are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg, ankle, groin, hip, shoulder, cervical spine, and scar conditions. The effective date for a TDIU is dismissed as no effective date has been assigned yet. The issues of service connection and increased evaluations are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, liver disorder, and a compensable rating for the service-connected acute rheumatic fever with migratory polyarthritis have been dismissed. The claims for service connection for low back pain and chronic kidney condition manifested by hematuria in service were granted as new and material evidence was received. Service connection has been established for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and the Veteran is presumed to have a kidney condition due to Camp Lejeune exposure. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to his willful misconduct during active duty. The other disabilities listed are also denied as they were either caused by or aggravated by the veteran's own actions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran's disabilities have worsened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder condition is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.