Shoulder Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for a right ankle disability, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and residuals of a right tarsonavicular fracture (right foot disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral artery disease, autonomic neuropathy, left shoulder traumatic arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral restless leg syndrome, and renal disorder. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for a left shoulder disability, service connection for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records pertaining to these conditions and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder DJD with right shoulder rotator cuff tear and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The claim for lumbosacral spine status post laminectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen it.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from a 30% rating to a 10% rating effective July 1, 2011. The 30% rating is restored as of October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain was granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective August 28, 2016.,For the period prior to August 28, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of such condition. The appeal was remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no basis for assigning an earlier effective date as the denial in the December 2006 final rating decision precludes such a determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, effective from October 6, 2014. The appeals to service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied as his current diagnoses are not related to his period of active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder reconstruction surgery rating was also denied, with the RO granting him a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and for entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from the Veteran’s chiropractor, and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's diagnosed allergic rhinitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, request private medical records if necessary, and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU on March 13, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder (excluding PTSD), was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining STRs and SPRs.