Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. The decision grants a higher rating for the right shoulder but denies any increase in rating for the left shoulder.

Right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as due to service-connected L4-5 degenerative joint disease with stenosis.,A right shoulder disability is denied as not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear and degenerative joint disease, as secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability. The evidence did not support that the current condition was incurred in service or related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder strain and sinusitis are granted. The Board found that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 9, 2013 and increased to 20 percent effective October 9, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not show a limitation of motion at the shoulder level before October 9, 2013.,After October 9, 2013, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent and the Board determined that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left shoulder conditions have been denied.,His right shoulder arthritis remains in need of further examination and rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and low back disorder, including left leg radiculopathy were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are dismissed due to the grant of these conditions in a previous rating decision. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the Veteran's request to reopen a claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition was initially rated at 20 percent prior to November 27, 2012.,From November 27, 2012, the Veteran's condition warranted a rating of 30 percent or higher.,Starting from July 21, 2017, the Veteran was granted an increased rating of 30 percent for his right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder condition.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for left shoulder arthritis is granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and cataracts. The TBI residuals were remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability was denied. Prior to July 5, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent and from July 5, 2017, it was rated at 50 percent.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain, diagnosed shortly after her service separation, was incurred during active duty and continues to this day. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 29, 2016 and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status prior to December 18, 2018.,The Board has deferred a decision on his TDIU claim pending further development of his SMC claim.