Shoulder decisions — 2015

The claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, shoulder disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of balance and vertigo, chest pain, heart dysrhythmia, and blood clots and phlebitis were denied. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Veteran does not have any additional disabilities as a result of the March 2006 VA medical treatment, and there is no evidence that such treatment was caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for limitation of motion. The claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for vitiligo was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities are rated at 10 percent each since the initial rating period.,Service connection for deviated nasal septum and sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder condition, effective September 20, 2011. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation folder. He also needs a new medical opinion regarding the nature of his neurological head pain and right upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his left knee, left arm, and/or left shoulder disabilities are directly related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury. Service connection for PTSD was not addressed due to a procedural issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder arthritis is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance by another individual.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder and right knee disabilities were denied by the Board. The Court vacated part of the decision, remanding those matters to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including considering the August 2008 VA x-ray impression. The current right shoulder disabilities are being considered on their own merits rather than service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, and left shoulder brachial neuritis do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus and environmental allergies are found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has shoulder, cervical spine, and sinus disorders that are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and a right wrist disability. The Board has determined that the appeal involves issues related to service connection, which falls under the 'direct' theory of service connection.,The Veteran's claims have not been fully adjudicated as there are no specific ratings or decisions provided in the decision summary.

The Board denied extensions of temporary total evaluations for left knee surgery and increased disability ratings for the Veteran's knee disabilities. The Veteran was granted separate disability ratings for right knee subluxation, but his request to increase his rating for left shoulder degenerative osteoarthritis was withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when analyzed as a whole, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, neck disability, upper back disability, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and low back disability are not earlier than May 6, 2009, and September 22, 2009 respectively.