Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for left shoulder separation with bursitis and spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine were denied as there was no evidence showing that his range of motion was limited to less than 80 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 170 degrees, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis and thoracolumbar spine arthritis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and have continued since service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder arthroplasty is denied as the evidence does not show that he has chronic residuals consisting of severe, painful motion or weakness in this affected extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and sinusitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's migraine disability, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left shoulder disability are all rated at 50 percent effective from December 13, 2022. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, left shoulder, and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. Additionally, TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his shoulder, spine, elbow, knee, and tension headaches disabilities.

The claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for genital herpes comes before the Board on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision that adjudicated a June 2015 increased rating claim. The effective date for the 60 percent rating is granted as of June 16, 2015.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue and involuntary leg and arm movements during sleep are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support reopening. The Veteran's tinea pedis rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 2016 or in excess of 30 percent prior to February 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to provide two independent medical opinions supporting his diagnoses and their relationship to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's post-operative left rotator cuff tear, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder acromioclavicular atrophy.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder AC joint arthrosis and tendinitis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's hearing loss is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left arm/hand numbness is granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty is granted a rating of 60 percent during specific periods. The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Gulf War Syndrome is considered to be the cause of his blood in urine, bowel disability, upper respiratory disability, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder condition was denied by the Board. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's right shoulder motion is limited to shoulder level (90 degrees), which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation of 40 percent for dysfunctional right shoulder is granted from February 14, 2022.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to February 14, 2022 is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since May 23, 2016. The claim for a higher rating before that date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized as right shoulder strain, is proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted such an increase.