Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for right arm and elbow, right hand, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder condition, finding that it is related to his in-service injuries and granting a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder reconstruction and ruptured left biceps femoris muscle, as new evidence was received after the SOC.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to July 11, 2017. The left knee disability received a compensable (10%) rating prior to October 11, 2013 and denied any increase in rating after that date.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 24, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, neuropathy of the face with motor dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, radiculopathy in bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability, and right finger disability, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 30, 2015. The Board granted his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral shoulder condition and sleep apnea. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's left arm disability, including a left shoulder rotator cuff tear, is not service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of a right leg disability. The Veteran’s claim for this issue is denied.,Service connection has been granted for left hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction with an initial rating of 10 percent effective February 24, 2016.,The reduction in the disability rating from 30% to 10% was improper and the Veteran's original 30% rating is restored as of March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to use a motorized scooter for mobility, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. Additionally, his permanent and total disability due to service-connected conditions precludes locomotion without aids like braces or crutches, qualifying him for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye condition, alcohol dependence, left shoulder dislocation, and PTSD. The appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, bilateral wrist condition, and neck condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and DJD, as well as left elbow tenosynovitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains under review.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is granted service connection as it has been continuous since service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The disorders are found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service parachuting landings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability and left shoulder disability due to potential changes in his medical condition. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for his left shoulder disability, but a new VA examination is required to assess his current heart disability and determine if it is related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. A CT scan of the left shoulder is also needed to evaluate its severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and left shoulder pain have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinitis is granted as service-connected.,The appeal for tuberculosis has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and thus dismissed.,TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from May 26, 2010 is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as due to PTSD is remanded.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) to include as due to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2010 for the grant of PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a claim within one year after his separation from service. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date would be February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 14, 2016, and 20 percent thereafter. The VA examinations do not comply with the requirements in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and there are no further readjudications of the claim in a supplemental statement of the case or rating decision. The matter is REMANDED for additional actions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of his death.