Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person due to functional limitations, but additional compensation under SMC(r)(1) or SMC(r)(2) is precluded as he does not meet the threshold requirement for consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar strain, left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, and cervical spine disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disabilities, including cervical spine arthritis, right hand and finger arthritis, left hand and finger arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis.,The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee instability have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disorder was denied.,The appeals for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability, right knee strain, and left knee strain were also denied.

The Veteran was previously employed but resigned due to service-connected disabilities, including back pain and ureteral stricture.,From January 1, 2017, onward, the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there are current disabilities related to service, including sleep apnea, left knee conditions, right knee conditions, and a left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing their appeal.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for status post right upper lung lobectomy is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service-connected RSD and CRPS affecting his right wrist.,The Board concluded that the Veteran would have developed his cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder regardless of his service-connected RSD and CRPS.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease (claimed as left hip condition), degenerative joint disease (claimed as right hip condition), arthritis, cervical spine (claimed as neck condition), osteoarthritis (claimed as left shoulder condition), and post-surgical osteoarthritis (claimed as right shoulder condition).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of one or both lower extremities, nor does he require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance from another person for daily living activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disorder. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records from October 2001 to September 2002, and provide an adequate VA examination.

The Board has denied the increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and has remanded the case to consider a separate additional rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder and low back conditions as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted a Total Disability Rating for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from June 1, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from October 31, 2014, to June 9, 2022, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from June 10, 2022, onward, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder condition and a left hand condition, finding that the evidence does not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right foot disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to clarify his diagnoses and determine their relationship to service.