Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to surgical repair of rotator cuff of the bilateral shoulders and diabetes type II, thus these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for DDD of the lumbar spine, right shoulder spurring, and chronic obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of asthma and TDIU issues. The DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 20 percent; gastrointestinal disabilities at 10 percent; posttraumatic headaches at 50 percent; right shoulder impingement syndrome at 20 percent; and left knee disorder with medial collateral ligament strain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an undiagnosed illness causing multiple muscle pain, to include in the bilateral arms, bilateral legs, and bilateral knees is denied as there is no evidence of an undiagnosed illness. The Board finds that his diagnosed conditions are more likely related to post-service activities rather than service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo was incurred in service and is aggravated by service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including bursitis and osteoarthritis status post acromioplasty without residual scar, was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and back disabilities are related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's restless leg syndrome is rated at 10 percent since December 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations of his left knee, left shoulder, and left foot disabilities. The TDIU issue remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for right (major) chronic pain and limitation of motion, status post shoulder reconstruction due to lack of evidence in the year prior to June 21, 2006.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is presumed to have developed during his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder dislocation claim remains pending as it pertains to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint changes and supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy (right shoulder disorder) and glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.