Shoulder Board decisions

The claim to reopen service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion on whether LUE radiculopathy aggravates the left shoulder disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee (secondary to right knee), and right shoulder disabilities. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's rash of the entire body.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's rash of the entire body as there is no evidence of chronicity of care or a positive medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being evaluated again for a more accurate assessment of its severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right wrist and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent before August 1, 2017 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis remains at a 20 percent rating.,Both conditions are currently rated based on their direct service connection without any additional factors like exposure or presumptions.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff, and bursitis have been granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective June 6, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left shoulder condition is reopened, and the claims for service connection for his left elbow and wrist conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the requirements for a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board dismissed the claims as they are related to deceased Veteran's death and no longer have jurisdiction over them.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, which is the highest possible rating for limitation of motion of the arm. The Veteran's impairment of the right clavicle or scapula warrants a separate 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5203.,The Veteran's respiratory disability of the nose and throat, including rhinitis and sinusitis, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to allegations of injuries during training exercises. The DROC is tasked with verifying these incidents and obtaining medical opinions on whether the appellant's current disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for left arm/shoulder and right shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition during her active duty or within one year of discharge. The Board also found no evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder strain is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's impingement syndrome of the right shoulder resulted in limited arm motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional impairment and pain. The current rating of 30% is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and the Veteran's history of homelessness. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and exposure to CARC.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is due to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's hip disability, including a secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including as due to exposure to CARC, is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the May 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is related to his service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy, claimed as a right shoulder disability, is granted compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the January 2014 fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of a right neck mass at Martinez VA Medical Center.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left side buttock injury, lower back joint pain, and left shoulder rotator cuff injury and pain. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for TDIU prior to April 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 25, 2017. The Board granted TDIU prior to June 4, 2018, but dismissed the claim as moot after that date due to the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD.