Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand pain, right hand pain, right knee strain, and left shoulder strain. The claims for right knee strain and left shoulder strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus, but his claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and left shoulder ankylosis (including any neurological disability) has been granted with effective dates set at March 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 1, 2018, and 30 percent thereafter. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent. Both disabilities are currently rated based on their specific Diagnostic Codes without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for chlamydia and granted a 50 percent rating for migraines beginning October 11, 2019. The remaining issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 13, 2006 for service connection of his left and right shoulder disabilities, initial increased disability ratings for these conditions, and entitlement to a TDIU. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule updated VA examinations, and complete any necessary VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and urinary disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their nature and etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lumbosacral and right shoulder disabilities, and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding these conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's range of motion exceeded shoulder level and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to his case file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, sinus, and skin disabilities due to conflicting evidence in the record. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing VA treatment records, need for updated military personnel records verification of Southwest Asia service, and the need for additional examinations for sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic headaches.

The Board has found the Veteran's left shoulder disability rating does not reflect its current severity, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for insomnia as a symptom of his PTSD, and there was no evidence of an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia or left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Service connection for photophobia, TBI, IBS, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and GERD were not established based on the provided medical opinions.

The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for headaches, right shoulder disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection for TBI and left shoulder condition is restored. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD prior to July 8, 2016 is dismissed. Service connection for respiratory condition (to include asthma) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee condition/pain, right shoulder condition/pain, and right knee pain/condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all relevant evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder condition and his military service.