Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right shoulder and low back disabilities have been denied increased ratings. The case for his hip conditions is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, low back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service physical work and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability and associated right upper extremity paresthesias has been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 40 percent is granted for the right shoulder disability, but no higher due to lack of evidence supporting a higher rating under any other Diagnostic Code. For the right upper extremity paresthesias, a compensable rating prior to March 10, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter has been denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for impingement syndrome of the right (major) shoulder, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5201.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, but the appeal regarding a bilateral lower extremity neurological disability (restless leg syndrome) is remanded due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total rating to October 31, 2016 for surgery necessitating convalescence due to service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left clavicle or shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for service connection of right foot plantar fasciitis was withdrawn.,A 10% rating is granted for the Veteran’s left shoulder condition, characterized by pain and limited motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The issues are related to his chronic low back strain, right shoulder disorder, and upper body disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, with the highest possible rating of 30 percent being granted after October 18, 2019.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted effective November 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptoms, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various physical disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide more details about his stressors and any relevant medical records from SSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding functional loss due to flares and repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, with a temporary 100 percent rating from March 14, 2017 to May 31, 2017. The Veteran's right shoulder scars are not compensably rated.,For the left knee disability, the Veteran has been granted separate ratings of 10%, 20%, and 30% based on recurrent subluxation or lateral instability (DC 5257), dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint (DC 5258), and limitation of left leg extension to 10 degrees (DC 5261).

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to limitation of motion with no more than reduced ROM of flexion and abduction. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted such a rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, spine, and shoulder disorders, as well as a respiratory disorder. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Veteran's knee and shoulder disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in characterization and incomplete examinations. The issues include evaluating sensory loss, rating a cervical lymph gland disability, determining service connection for a low back disorder, and assessing TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% for limitation of motion, with a separate 10% rating for status post meniscectomy. The left shoulder labial tear disability was granted a 20% rating prior to January 16, 2020 and a 30% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10%. A separate 10% rating for status post meniscectomy has been granted. The left shoulder labial tear disability was previously rated at 20%, but the claimant now receives a 30% rating since January 16, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, gastrointestinal disability (to include as due to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune), bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims.