Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's evaluations for TMJ disorder and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Shoulder remain at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left sciatic nerve pain is not service-connected, as it is caused by his nonservice-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran was employed prior to March 22, 2017, which precludes a TDIU at that time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is less than 70% and he does not have one disability rated at 40%. The adverse symptomatology caused by his right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are both contemplated by the rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence and need for new examinations.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as they were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his symptoms are related to service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent.,Both disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder was granted and a 30 percent rating assigned, but denied revision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the October 2007 rating decision. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and left ankle disability, but has found that further development is needed due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for gout and a left shoulder condition due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his gout and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claim for CRDP payments prior to September 1, 2014 was denied. The Board also found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and ordered the RO to send the Veteran a notification letter regarding an October 2017 audit indicating he was entitled to a retroactive compensation payment of $984.00 for the period from January 2017 to May 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, increased ratings for various knee and back disabilities, service connection for shoulder, ankle, foot, and sleep apnea conditions, as well as reopening of his hypertension claim are all remanded. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including scheduling an examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability and PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability, as it was limited to work that does not require overhead or repetitive movement. For PTSD, the symptoms were considered to be at the level required for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.