Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, seeking addendum opinions from the July 2015 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, heart disorder, and bilateral venous insufficiency, and addressing the Veteran's complaints of sciatica in the lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has been sufficiently severe to require the use of a breathing device, but not resulting in chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder joint has been rated at 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, which is the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Board finds a remand necessary to assess the current severity of his disability post-surgery.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation with osteoarthritis and paresthesia of gingiva have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and fibromyalgia, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis. The increased rating claim for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional examinations and development. The issues of service connection, initial ratings, and increased ratings are all pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate action if necessary.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2013. The rating is for limitation of motion of the arm.

The Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disorders are causally related to in-service occurrences as a parachute jumper. The Board finds service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, temporary total rating, and right shoulder disability are also pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for right shoulder strain status post arthroscopic repair and cephalgia prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset in active service and has persisted since his separation from service, warranting service connection. The right ankle issue is pending as additional evidence and information are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated as 50 percent disabling since August 31, 2010. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating and the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating based on convalescence following right shoulder surgery and entitlement to SMC based on being housebound (HB) beyond May 1, 2011.

The Board found no evidence linking the current right shoulder disability to any incident during service, including periods of active duty training. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible medical evidence or a showing of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for his right shoulder separation with strain. The evidence did not show current hearing loss or a relationship between the claimed conditions and military service.