Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 27, 2018, for a 20 percent disability rating for right shoulder strain with arthritis is denied. The earliest date of entitlement to the increased rating was April 25, 2012, but the claim was filed within one year after this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.,For the left shoulder strain, the Veteran was found to be in receipt of the maximum schedular rating and no further increase is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service duties as a field artilleryman.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that the current disability is related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis and shoulder strain, left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his in-service treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.,The appeal concerning the left inguinal hernia surgery issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support an earlier effective date than July 24, 2019, for TDIU, a 20% rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital and rotator cuff tendonitis, a 70% rating for PTSD, insomnia disorder, and alcohol use disorder, or a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity has been remanded. The Board found that there is no more than mild symptoms associated with incomplete paralysis of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, as he is able to perform his daily activities with assistance from his wife when needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of left calf sprain and PTSD have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right shoulder arthritis, right hip condition, and skin conditions (micro fungoides lymphoma and dermatitis).

The Board has dismissed all appeals except for the claim of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain. The appeal concerning the other issues on appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or adaptive equipment was denied as she does not have service-connected physical loss of use of her hands, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or ankylosis of the knees or hips.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder superior labral tear with rotator cuff tear of the superior labram and left wrist strain are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for status post closed fracture of left ankle with ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, left foot, right foot, left shoulder, and right hip disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, cervical strain, and right shoulder strain. These conditions are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 2, 2024. The issue of higher ratings since December 2, 2024 for his total shoulder replacement and residuals from left knee replacement is dismissed due to lack of case or controversy.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left and right knee strains are all found to be related to his active military service.,The Veteran's tension headaches (claimed as migraines) are determined to be due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's right shoulder and knee disabilities are granted, with a 10 percent rating for the knee disability. The Veteran is also awarded a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee.