Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and L5 spondylolysis were granted a 40 percent disability rating effective January 7, 2014. His service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was also granted.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are denied. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the medical opinions did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since July 25, 2017. The rating reflects limitation of motion to shoulder level with pain.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, hypertension, prostate disorder, bilateral knee disorder, pes planus, and left shoulder disorder as the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder), OSA, migraine headaches, and left knee pain are all granted service connection.,Service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, right leg restless leg syndrome, left leg restless leg syndrome, cervical spine osteoarthritis, and left arm radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hand disability was not granted as new and material evidence has not been received.,Moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome and mild ulnar neuropathy at the wrist and elbow were not service-connected, as they did not have their onset during active service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is rated at 30% effective November 15, 2017. Prior to that date, the condition was rated as 20%. The Board found no basis for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability had onset during service and has continued since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition.,The Veteran's right shoulder and wrist conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, shoulder disorders, and prostate cancer. The examiner must assess the combined effects of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus the claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions in August 2001. He appealed to have his son added as a dependent effective from the date of his initial claim, which is August 1, 2001.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety and depression). The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions in service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination. The issues have not been certified to the Board yet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The right and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,A cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral knee gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.,Service connection for left ankle gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 s/p L4-L5 laminectomy and discectomy due to a lack of proper notification for VA examinations.