Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder rotator cuff disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinnitus, right foot hallux valgus, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with appendectomy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted. Other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 23, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective May 18, 2016.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities related to his service, including as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private hospital records from Penrose Saint Francis Health Services and providing VCAA notice regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar sprain and right shoulder muscle strain are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated lumbosacral spine condition, cervical spine arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, but not for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of multiple disabilities was denied, and the appellant did not establish eligibility to accrued benefits due to lack of evidence of expenses related to last sickness or burial.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, knee, shoulder (left and right), and low back disorders as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his cervical spine condition and service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examiner will also provide opinions on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain, including surgery residuals, has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea was withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple other conditions, have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The AOJ has determined that she is entitled to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal of all issues.