Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for his left shoulder disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be reviewed based on new evidence provided by the Veteran during her recent hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.,Service connection cannot be granted based on herbicide exposure, as there is no credible evidence that he was exposed to such agents during his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a sprain of the right third finger PIP joint due to pain without limitation of motion.,Service connection for costochondritis (Tietze Syndrome) is denied as there is no evidence meeting the service connection requirements.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement, and chronic lumbar strain are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, low back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder/arm disability, as well as her increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and lower back conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar disc disease status post lumbar decompression surgery are granted. The left shoulder condition is denied, but a reduction in rating for cervical degenerative joint disease status post spine fusion from 20% to 10% effective March 7, 2015 is restored. A reduction in rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis from 50% to 30% effective March 7, 2015 is also restored.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and visual impairment are not properly before it due to remand requirements. The effective dates for these issues remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for depression as secondary to aortic valve replacement disability due to lack of evidence of current diagnosis. The claims for gout, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and left kidney disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder strain, and chronic sinusitis are granted. However, the claims for right shoulder disability and chronic sinusitis need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's left shoulder injury with posterior humerus head dislocation is rated at 20 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for limitation in range of motion is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment and personnel records. The case will be returned for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding his heart disability, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to March 9, 2015. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 23, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him substantially unemployable since at least this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder strain and right wrist strain, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.