Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, diagnosed as bilateral instability and chondromalacia of the shoulders and a degenerative irregularity of the left clavicle, was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's left shoulder disability was evaluated at a 20% rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his current disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an initial compensable rating for left knee OCD, and a higher rating for post-operative repair of his right shoulder were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea was denied as he does not have such a condition. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied due to the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder, wrist, and thumb arthritis as well as PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reviewed again due to lack of VA examination records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right ankle disability (previously characterized as a bilateral ankle disability), and for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision supports these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected.,New evidence has reopened the claim for right ear hearing loss, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral shoulder peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral pterygium is denied as there is no evidence of visual impairment, conjunctivitis, or scarring that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with L5/S1 facet disease (low back disability), and osteoarthritis of the left hip are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and ED are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The right and left shoulder disabilities were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, shoulders, and knees, as well as hypertension, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), and a right hand disorder are all denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing current disabilities or linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and dismissed earlier effective date claims based on CUE in prior RO decisions for left knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and sinusitis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records, scheduling examinations, and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, as the previous examination did not address whether he had such a disability or if it was related to service.