Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed left shoulder, hand, nerve disorder, or scar. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including obtaining an adequate social and industrial survey, a psychiatric examination addressing PTSD's impact on employment, and updating treatment records. The Veteran’s TDIU claim will be reconsidered with these additional developments.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, right shoulder arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran is also awarded special monthly compensation on account of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The left knee and left shoulder disability claims are remanded as additional development is needed, including obtaining STRs and verifying duty status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, blackouts/fainting, colon problems/irregular bowel movements, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, scoliosis of the spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence to support a service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The right shoulder tendinitis with impingement syndrome and right knee osteoarthritis are both denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee from February 11, 2015 is granted. Right hip tendonitis with painful motion and limited flexion does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for increased ratings and new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide National Guard records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injuries and symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60% since March 1, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially rated at 10%, then increased to 20% from May 15, 2009. The appeal continues as the Veteran seeks an initial rating in excess of 20%.,The Veteran's left shoulder DJD and rotator cuff tear are currently rated at 20%. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's service-connected scars have not been assigned any compensable ratings. The appeal continues as the Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder DJD and rotator cuff tear is denied, with the earliest possible effective date being November 26, 2016.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder scar is denied, with the earliest possible effective date being March 29, 2012.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted since March 1, 2015. The appeal continues as the Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition, residuals of right arm (shoulder) injury, and right hand injury due to inadequate August 2017 VA medical opinion. The Veteran will be provided an additional VA examination to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected physical disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability because the Veteran's original claim did not encompass these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a prostate disorder and hypertension have been dismissed.,A claim to reopen the neck disorder has been granted, but no rating assigned yet as it is still pending.,Claims for increased ratings on lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left shoulder disorder, and sinus disorder with headaches are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete STRs and outstanding VA/privately held records. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a specific x-ray report and providing an updated VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates or higher disability ratings.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back pain, bilateral shoulder disorder (right and left), and left elbow disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 2015 rating decisions.,Service connection will be granted for these conditions as they are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder were granted a 70% rating effective April 15, 2016. The left shoulder disability was granted an increased rating to 40%. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.