Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen service connection for migraines, bilateral shoulder disability, and Scheuermann's disease of the thoracic spine. The petition to increase the rating for residuals of fracture left hand fifth metacarpal was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for bilateral hip disability, shoulder and elbow disabilities, low back disability, neck disability with upper right extremity neuropathy, spine disability with joint degeneration, hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, staph infection, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The remand also includes a request to obtain Social Security Administration records and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Tinnitus has been denied for an earlier effective date prior to June 25, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (including arthritis), bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, muscle weakness and atrophy, limited motion of right shoulder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for COPD and hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. However, the Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case is being remanded to allow for new VA examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder status post rotator cuff and cartilage repair with osteoarthritis has also been denied due to the lack of evidence showing limitation of motion at or below the shoulder level.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a bilateral knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and lack of an opinion regarding a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's service records show chronic shoulder dysfunction, but there is no definitive etiology provided by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, chronic ear infections, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his left shoulder disability and a new opinion regarding his dizziness.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was granted service connection as it is considered to be directly related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary service connection involved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection on all issues, including right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, residuals of a neck injury, and bilateral hernias.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder dislocation, and degenerative disease of L4-5 and L5-S1. The case is also remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a current orthopedic examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of various disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied for other conditions. The reduction in ratings for tinea pedis was upheld.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional private treatment records related to the Veteran's left shoulder surgeries.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is already considered in his service-connected PTSD rating, so separate service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of hypertension or GERD during service and they were not shown to be related to service. Therefore, these conditions are also denied as service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability and for a back disability as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is denied.