Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, lumbar back condition, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and heart condition as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol and hypertension due to lack of disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016). The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to evaluate his left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease, left shoulder bursitis, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, as it is unclear whether this condition was incurred in service or caused by an in-service injury. The Veteran's current right wrist condition remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted effective June 1, 2014. However, he did not receive payment for the month of June due to VA regulations requiring that payments begin on the first day of the month following the effective date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran is also being remanded for an increased rating for his psychophysiologic gastro-intestinal reaction (somatoform disorder).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee strain, costochondritis (claimed as a right-side rib cage injury), bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board found no current disabilities that meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for headaches prior to July 17, 2017, is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, lumbar spine DDD/DJD, and right shoulder impingement syndrome due to lack of medical evidence supporting a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's depression and adjustment disorder secondary to left shoulder, left knee, and low back pain are rated at 50% prior to June 12, 2017. A rating of 70% is granted for the period from June 12, 2017 forward. The associated lumbar LLE radiculopathy is rated at 10%. The limitation of motion on extension of the left knee is rated at 0%, and a separate rating not to exceed 10% for non-LOM symptoms of left knee bursitis and posterior cruciate ligament strain (September 10, 2011 to April 21, 2014) is granted. The superficial painful scars are rated at 0%, and a compensable rating for scar residual, forehead, is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for vertigo is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is not service-connected.,Effective dates for TDIU and DEA eligibility are denied.,An effective date earlier than October 31, 2011, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is denied.,An effective date earlier than April 20, 2016, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied.,A disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, prior to June 9, 2016, for service-connected radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is granted.,From June 9, 2016, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 1, 2011, for a service-connected cervical spine disorder is denied.,From March 1, 2011 to February 13, 2017, a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for a service-connected cervical spine disorder is granted.,From February 13, 2017, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a service-connected cervical spine disorder is denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected limited motion of the left knee prior to June 9, 2016, is denied.,A disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for service-connected limited motion of the left knee from June 9, 2016 to August 18, 2017, is granted.,From August 18, 2017, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected limited motion of the left knee is denied.,An initial compensable disability rating for service-connected left knee instability prior to June 9, 2016, is denied.,From June 9, 2016 to August 18, 2017, a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for service-connected left knee instability is granted.,From August 18, 2017, a compensable disability rating for service-connected left knee instability is denied.,An initial compensable disability rating for a service-connected left knee meniscal condition prior to September 24, 2015, is denied.,A disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for a service-connected left knee meniscal condition from September 24, 2015, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations and additional records.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been submitted sufficient to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability. The appeal is granted in this regard. However, the issue of whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to her service-connected disabilities or an in-service injury remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hip disability is denied as there is no evidence of a right hip condition during or related to his military service. The claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of additional evidence showing the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder DJD, service connection for left shoulder disorder and low back disorder have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is needed on remand.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 5200 for unfavorable ankylosis of scapulohumeral articulation. The rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent.