Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, head injury, left hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The ratings for the left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical strain, and lumbar spine disabilities were also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and elbow DJD, lumbar spine DDD, and cervical spine DDD. The appeal of his increased rating claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery necessitated a temporary total rating for convalescence from September 16, 2013 through March 31, 2014.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denials of service connection for various disabilities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for left shoulder bursitis as new and material evidence was not presented, concluding that the submitted evidence did not relate the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2011 and from April 1, 2012 to August 5, 2014. As of August 5, 2014, the rating was increased to 40 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 5, 2014 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for such a determination.,A TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted as of August 5, 2014.

The Veteran was granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 24, 2010 through July 28, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded multiple issues, including service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions and headaches, as well as an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right thigh, and left thigh disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues regarding left hip disability will be addressed after obtaining additional in-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,Service connection was denied for left and right shoulder disabilities as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or condition that led to current disability.,There is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since December 20, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for acute myocardial infarction/residuals is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, and lower back disability are remanded.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus was granted. The issues of service connection for thyroid disorder, cervical myofascial pain syndrome, defective vision, and bilateral shoulder disorders were also granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The issues include PTSD, jaw disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral vestibular disorder, kidney stones, and persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder strain. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for leukemia and left shoulder condition has been dismissed. The claim for stomach condition is denied, but some issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left heel disabilities have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims.