Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but a higher rating of 30 percent is granted effective June 16, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right shoulder conditions are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and cervical spine disability due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports and the need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and to establish service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of x-ray reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, a bilateral shoulder disability, a heart condition, and dyslexia. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in light of his service-connected disabilities, while the other issues are being reviewed to determine if new evidence supports reopening the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the left and right shoulders due to inadequate development in a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding treatment records not currently associated with the claims file, and therefore, the issues of service connection for bowel disability, neck disability, spinal curvature, shoulder disability, head tremors, acquired psychiatric disorder, flat feet, and right pinky finger disability are being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to provide evidence of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to potential interrelatedness. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, a right shoulder disorder, left and right ankle disorders, and a lumbar spine disorder all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hyperlipidemia was denied as there is no disability associated with the condition. The right shoulder disability claim was also denied, as the evidence did not show any impairment warranting a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder DJD, thoracolumbar spine DJD, cervical spine DJD, left index finger fracture, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim of osteopenia/osteoporosis was vacated by a Joint Motion and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues being inextricably intertwined and insufficient evidence. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and reasoning regarding the Veteran's left shoulder condition, which may be related to service-connected right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 25, 2013.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied ratings in excess of 20 percent from November 26, 2013 to November 8, 2019.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied a rating in excess of 30 percent beginning November 9, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted on an extraschedular basis prior to July 10, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, both effective September 11, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability may have been aggravated by service, but further examination is needed to determine if any current disability is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity or causation in service.