Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a higher rating for right shoulder separation and PTSD as of December 30, 2014. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated 10 percent prior to April 1, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The decision is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that complies with Correia factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, right and left shoulder disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), migraine disability, abscess in genital area, and right hip condition due to potential issues with medical evidence not being reviewed.

The claim for secondary service connection of the left shoulder impingement syndrome is remanded. The TDIU request is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the secondary service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and low back condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to in-service lifting and moving duties, as well as concurrent onset of symptoms with his other condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including DJD. The examiner is asked to provide an updated opinion on whether the current right shoulder disability is related to service or developed within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The claims for increased evaluations of his shoulder and ankle disabilities are remanded due to the lack of recent medical examinations. Service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the right ankle, left knee, and lower back is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and would require employment in a sheltered environment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with an expert examiner.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and in-service hospitalization records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination regarding her claimed residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities have not been linked to his military service and are attributed to known clinical diagnoses. The Board denied the claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability that became manifest during active duty or within a prescribed presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities, have resulted in loss of use of his legs for the purposes of eligibility for specially adapted housing. Additionally, he is eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for right shoulder arthroplasty with scars and for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in September 2009 and September 2013. The Veteran is required to be afforded new VA examinations to assess his current disability status.

The Board denied service connection for elbow surgery due to nerve damage, severe right leg pain causing inability to walk distances, bilateral foot pain and swelling, shoulder disorder, and low back disorder. The claims were remanded for further examination.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to attend to many of the activities of daily living without regular assistance from a personal caregiver, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

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

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including recurrent dislocation and post arthroplasty with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20%. The Board finds a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding various disability ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including his labral debridement and subacromial decompression surgery, is related to his service. The evidence supports this finding as it shows a history of shoulder pain during service and post-service treatment for similar symptoms.