Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right hip, left hip, and right knee DJD as well as tinnitus. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The decision also grants a rating of 30 percent for sinusitis from January 1, 2014 to October 16, 2014, and remands other issues including service connection for left shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disorder, psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected disorder), and initial rating higher than 10 percent for allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residual armpit scars status post lymph node removal. The Veteran was not shown to have a separate right shoulder condition apart from his painful underarm scarring, and he failed to report for the scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's right abdominal scar was denied a compensable rating prior to April 9, 2018 and granted a 10 percent rating as of that date. The Veteran's left shoulder intrinsic syndrome was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 3, 2017 and granted a 30 percent rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his current disabilities, including back disability, bowel obstruction, osteoarticular infection, CKD, depression, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, and malnutrition, were caused by a perforated bowel resulting from a VA colonoscopy in November 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for elbow trauma, bilateral shoulder trauma, a back disability, and posterior head trauma due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Army Reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, a right shoulder disability, and gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are denied. An effective date of January 13, 2015, is assigned for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right great toe disorder due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joints and glenoid labral tears, is considered service-connected as it was incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities of the Veteran's shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands. The main issue is determining whether these conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of Type II diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the right shoulder disorder claim. The psychiatric disorders including PTSD, anxiety, and depression were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Service connection for major depressive disorder was granted.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left achilles tendon/left ankle condition, right shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision also notes that verification of all periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records and a follow-up orthopedic evaluation.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The Veteran's seizure disability and major depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70% rating for his major depressive disorder prior to July 15, 2015. He also receives TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, a low back/lumbar spine disorder, dyslipidemia, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that there is no evidence of complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions during service. The weight of the competent and probative evidence does not support finding that any current condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain and lumbosacral sprain disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not establish that the current condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased rating for migraine headaches need to be reviewed again due to new evidence.