Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and right (major) shoulder rotator cuff strain ratings are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a post-operative report from June 2016 and scheduling examinations to assess the current severity of the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is being considered on its merits.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 31, 2017. His PTSD with depressive features and alcohol abuse remains at a 50% disability rating. The ratings for his gunshot wound residuals are denied.

The Veteran's shrapnel wounds to the left shoulder and elbow have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each.,An earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for the left shoulder wound is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left shoulder scar, a higher rating for the left shoulder disability, and a higher rating for the right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and physical conditions like right shoulder osteoarthritis, prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder DJD, and lower back disability claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral hips or bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis, left wrist condition, and left shoulder condition due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the decisions on these other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, including his service connection claim and etiology.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 14, 2016. The Board has determined that a remand for a new VA examination is necessary due to the Veteran's reported worsening of his left shoulder since the last VA examination in September 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability, but did not make a final decision on it.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current right shoulder pain is considered to have started during his military service, and the Board found that there was a causal relationship between his in-service injury and his current condition.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted. The Board noted that the Veteran displayed symptoms consistent with the onset of sleep apnea during his active service and continuously thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, left and right shoulder, left and right wrist, sinusitis, colon polyp, and skin disabilities due to their recent onset or lack of treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo an examination for his claimed low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed illnesses manifested by right and left shoulder pain, as well as right and left hip pain have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted service connection in a December 2020 rating decision, and the appeal for this issue is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.