Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between any current right shoulder condition and active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The remand also includes requests for additional medical records and notification to the Veteran regarding the scheduled examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his postoperative residuals of left shoulder dislocation and for a compensable rating for his left shoulder scar, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent or compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for updated VA medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right shoulder, left collar bone, right elbow, and rheumatoid arthritis conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left shoulder condition, and residuals of hernia surgery due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for bilateral flat foot and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, heart condition, gastritis, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development in previous examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right shoulder, low back, and respiratory conditions are all being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right shoulder scar, right shoulder disability (gunshot wound), and skin disability claims are being reviewed.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthralgia, status post surgery, is granted a 20 percent rating prior to February 25, 2015 and a 30 percent rating from March 20, 2019. The PTSD with alcohol abuse in early sustained remission is denied an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee DJD conditions have been denied. The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition has also been denied.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and also denied entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to undergo these examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain S/P SLAP repair was evaluated as 30 percent disabling from December 30, 2019. The Board found no evidence of a higher evaluation prior to that date and denied any rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but she contends that her flare-ups warrant a higher rating. The Board has decided to remand the case for another VA examination to address these concerns.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a procedural error in sending the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) to the appellant's attorney, J. Michael Woods.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 40% effective March 19, 2014. The claim for increased rating and TDIU are both granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected lumbar facet degeneration with sclerosis and DDD, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cervical spine (neck) disability with muscle spasms, left shoulder disability with nerve damage, and left hip disability have all been denied.