Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee disorders may be related to his service-connected spine disability, but additional evidence is needed for a proper determination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for left shoulder/arm pain, liver mass, right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, shin splints, right knee disability, sleep apnea, GERD, and PTSD. However, service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not have its onset in service, was not related to service, and is not otherwise related to service. The evidence does not show that his current condition manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, shoulder, and back disabilities.

This decision denies service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities, but grants a 50% evaluation for dysthymic disorder. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for left shoulder or low back disabilities during his appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is related to her service-connected dropfoot, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder strains have been remanded due to the need for a statement of the case (SOC). The initial compensable rating for right shoulder strain is denied, while the initial compensable rating for left shoulder strain prior to October 15, 2015, and the rating in excess of 10 percent after that date are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence. The VA must obtain SSA records, provide a medical examination, and undertake additional development as requested.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and granted a rating of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability since January 31, 2017. The Veteran's current range of motion measurements indicate loss of motion at approximately midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically a lack of adequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome and his neck disability. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendinitis and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating due to the severity of his symptoms. His right shoulder bursitis is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg varicose veins disability, but the other claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder posttraumatic arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The initial rating for cervical spine spondylosis prior to May 16, 2015 was denied and thereafter it is granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for tinnitus are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the pending hearing loss claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at a minimum of 10 percent from August 17, 1964 to December 31, 1978. A temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery was granted from December 1, 1978 to January 31, 1979. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not compensable after February 1, 1979.