Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, a left shoulder condition, and an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at a 30 percent rating effective August 27, 2019. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder and radiculopathy, rhinitis, deviated septum and sinusitis, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2013. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 1, 2013 for the TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current kidney disorder, and his claims for hyperthyroidism (Graves' Disease), eye disorder, GERD, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to incomplete medical records and need further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain and right knee disability have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability, cervical spinal stenosis and fusion, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and herpes have been remanded due to the need for further medical development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the cases of bilateral knee disorder and left shoulder disorder, as well as tinnitus. The AOJ must issue a SOC for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and request any outstanding records from the Veteran and VA. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings assigned for her service-connected disabilities is remanded due to incomplete private treatment records and a need for an updated examination under the new Diagnostic Code 5269.,The Veteran's appeal regarding earlier effective dates for her service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected adhesive capsulitis of both shoulders due to inadequate examination results.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted a 30% disability rating. Service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and migraines are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder and right ankle disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and depression (now claimed as PTSD), right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding timeliness of a submission of a Notice of Disagreement for an earlier effective date for fracture of the right hand, 5th metacarpal and an earlier effective date prior to March 15, 2017 for service connection of PTSD. The claims for service connection for back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to PTSD, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100%, combined. He does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal, indicating satisfaction with his current award.

The Board has granted service connection for a degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, finding that it first manifested during active duty. Service connection was denied for a left shoulder disability due to lack of current diagnosis.