Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches. The Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service, his hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to post-service occupational exposure rather than his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during INACDUTRA in April 2008. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for temporary total disability benefits based on left knee surgery necessitating convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact needed to substantiate the underlying claim of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is directly related to service or if arthritis began within one year of separation.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities were denied. The RO continued the existing disability ratings, with no changes in rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability and deep venous thrombosis of the left lower extremity. The claim will be readjudicated after these matters are addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and obtaining an examination of his left shoulder disorder. The earlier effective date claim will be addressed in the context of the rating decision.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the Veteran's statements regarding his right shoulder symptoms.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder conditions have been evaluated at 10 percent for the entire appeals period. The VA examinations indicate that his range of motion is limited, with pain on motion and additional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition, which includes degenerative joint disease with rotator cup and labrum tears, has been rated at 40 percent since September 18, 2012. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating based on ankylosis of the glenohumeral joint.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and has determined that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the current right shoulder disorder is more likely related to post-service employment duties, including heavy lifting, rather than an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the shoulders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and translation of German documents. The issues are whether his bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, and undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic fatigue are related to his service.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is found to be the result of an injury in active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.