Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which involve both lower extremities and cause a loss of use so severe that it precludes locomotion without the regular and constant use of assistive devices.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee disability is found not to be related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of continuous or recurrent symptoms during service or within one year after separation from service. Service connection for secondary disabilities (back, left ring finger, and right shoulder) was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed, including consideration of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for the reduction of his left shoulder rating and granted for a higher initial rating for his headache disorder. The remaining issues are not addressed due to lack of specific claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right heel injury, and sinus condition are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological link to active service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims were found not to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claim as it pertains to the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no current evidence of the claimed conditions, with the exception of the Veteran's credible reports of difficulty hearing in his left ear.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The claim is currently in a state where further development and consideration are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities will be evaluated, and his claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has not manifested to the level that would warrant a higher rating, as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder dislocation status post left arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy has not manifested limitation of motion to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes recurrent dislocations and limited motion, has been found to meet the criteria for a maximum 40 percent rating for limitation of motion and a 30 percent rating for other impairment of the humerus. The effective date is not specified.