Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's burn scars are rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches have been increased to 30 percent. The Board denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis prior to June 4, 2013 and a rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy (to include carpal tunnel syndrome) from November 25, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's left shoulder chronic tendonitis and chondromalacia of the left knee were rated at 20 percent each, effective August 2, 2012. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is considered part of his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not related to his service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD is service-connected, but he does not have a separate neurological disorder of the left upper extremity related to his service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship between his current sleep apnea and his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability. The issues of service connection for PTSD, chronic pain syndrome, and reopening a nerve damage claim are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate another matter on appeal, specifically his left foot disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The initial evaluations for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of left shoulder dislocation are denied.

The Veteran is found unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request. The claim is also being remanded because new and material evidence must be considered to reopen the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder, cervical spine, dementia, tinnitus, or left knee disability that is service-connected. The evidence shows no current disabilities and there is insufficient credible evidence to link any of these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need to obtain additional treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that there was no evidence showing compensable limitation of motion or other functional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records regarding which shoulder was injured, and the need for additional medical examination.