Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's service-connected status post open reduction and internal fixation for left clavicle with residual left shoulder decreased mobility has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left knee and status post right knee arthroscopic surgery with debridement are denied.

The Veteran's claim for vision problems was reopened due to the submission of new medical and lay evidence. The claims for left shoulder, left ankle, skin cancer, and right wrist disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and lumbar strain conditions due to a lack of recent VA examination results.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability and left calcaneal spurs are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as obtaining all pertinent records.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, but denied service connection for cervical, right knee, left shoulder, and right hip conditions. The decision also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist; chronic lumbar strain; and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with chronic lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires that a VA examiner provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current shoulder and knee conditions are aggravated by his right ankle disability or related to vaccinations in service.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for a left shoulder disability and TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow and maintain a substantially-gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected. The left foot disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and remanded the issues of diabetes secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's daughter is recognized as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increase rating due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be remanded for scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right shoulder disability due to conflicting medical evidence regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The osteoid osteoma of the left radius was found to be asymptomatic, while other disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder instability, which was previously rated at 20 percent, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder, back, and right hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.