Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The increased rating claims for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and bursitis of the right shoulder are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder calcific tendinopathy, right shoulder subacromial bursitis, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including left shoulder tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, limited wrist motion due to elbow condition, post-operative thumb disability, glaucoma and aphakia of the eye, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Effective dates are established or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo VA examinations for his service-connected depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and headache disorder due to the lack of recent medical records and examination reports.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeals for service connection for shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as a higher rating for mood disorder. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding her financial liability to the provider of emergency treatment.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, status post arthroplasty and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The conditions are related to a motor vehicle accident the Veteran sustained during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and spine disabilities as well as his hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and determine if there is additional functional loss during flare-ups. His TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. The claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 70 percent for MDD with alcohol abuse, and in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with reactive airway disease are remanded. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for chronic tonsillitis, service connection for a left knee disability, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and service connection for a cardiac disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities, specifically whether they are related to his service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings of his right shoulder and left knee disabilities was denied. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective April 1, 2010. His left knee disability remains at a 30 percent rating since July 12, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability. The Veteran did not meet the threshold element of a current ratable hearing loss disability, as his audiometric test results did not establish a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear with mild degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that his pain limits motion to shoulder level. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding his ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and neck conditions. The Board also notes that there is a need for an opinion on whether ischemic heart disease is related to PTSD.

The Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not related to her service or her service-connected TMJ dysfunction, and the Board finds that she does not have a current disability that is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected TMJ.