Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective January 15, 2014. The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the period from November 14, 2019, forward. However, TDIU was denied due to lack of evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective from April 28, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder and bicep conditions as secondary to his service-connected right thigh shell fragment wound residuals, but denied service connection for his lumbar spine condition as secondary to his service-connected right thigh condition.

The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected, as they are considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection is granted for moderate restrictive ventilation disorder (previously characterized as breathing problems), low back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2017. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome and whether higher or separate ratings are warranted for reported symptoms such as sleep impairment, crepitus, and problems with shoulder rotation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation due to VA medical treatment, as well as his claim of a left knee disability secondary to lower extremity radiculopathy. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right bicep, and neck disabilities as secondary to lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tear are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the September 2022 rating decision.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the decision-making process for some of the Veteran's claims and has ordered a new examination to address these issues. The Veteran is being asked to provide more information about his cervical spine, left arm/shoulder, and bilateral foot conditions, as well as any secondary service connection claims related to his varicocelectomy.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective May 25, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder strain, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, lower gastrointestinal disorder, and related shoulder disorders are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions. The lumbar spine disorder is also being remanded as it involves a secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, and his TDIU is granted effective October 27, 2010. The Board found that the combination of service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since then.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the July 2022 VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder strain is related to his service. The examiner did not provide a clear explanation for accepting or rejecting the Veteran's reports of pain and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for urinary incontinence as a neurological manifestation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain has been denied. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a finding that the urinary incontinence is related to his back disability. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria but fails to provide sufficient evidence regarding the economic component as detailed by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the record, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are presumed related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, chronic hypersomnolence, chronic fatigue, chronic diarrhea, chronic memory loss, and mood disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness) may be due to exposure to environmental hazards during his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee instability, left knee arthritis, and related disabilities due to inadequate evidence. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition due to environmental hazard exposure are remanded.