Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disability, and left shoulder disability are not service connected.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for left hand arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available under VA regulations. The Veteran’s alopecia areata has not been shown to be related to service and remains noncompensably rated.,Service connection for a left foot disability was granted in full.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral arm and hand conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic headaches has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective February 20, 2017.,Prior to February 20, 2017, the Veteran was not entitled to any compensation for his headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of nexus between current disability and military service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement, partial rotator cuff tear, and arthritis as well as bilateral hip arthritis. The Veteran is also awarded an initial compensable disability rating of 10% for her service-connected anemia.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability have been rated based on their severity, but the right knee has not met the criteria for a higher rating since October 10, 2014. The left shoulder and head trauma disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected right shoulder disability and any loss of motion and numbness to his right hand and fingers.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective November 4, 2009. The kidney condition claim is denied as there is no evidence that the benign cyst may be related to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's attorney requested that consideration of the TDIU claim be deferred until either the appeal period for the denial of service connection for a cognitive disorder or the filing of a timely substantive appeal in the matter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative changes, effective September 21, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found to be new and material.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying any SSA disability benefits claims related to his service connection claims. The Veteran will be provided a new VA opinion on hepatitis C and an SSOC addressing all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including residuals of mild decompression syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his service. The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is considered a separate issue.