Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities as the evidence does not show a relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder disorder, and chronic respiratory disorder. Service connection was granted for headaches related to PTSD, TBI, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder strain, including as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine strain and degenerative joint disease, has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for other disabilities remain remanded for additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim. Therefore, all issues have been remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and address any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right great toe disorder and lumbar spine disorder. The claims for residuals of a head injury, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, hematuria, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder strain, and bilateral restless leg syndrome have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding a right knee disability, as there is no current evidence of such a condition. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, low back, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for a painful hernia scar. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the Veteran not submitting current treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of loss of front teeth and gum pain, post-operative left shoulder rotator cuff tear, left thumb strain (non-dominant), stomach condition (claimed as acid reflux), Lyme disease, and cataract and macular degeneration (vision problems) have been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Lyme disease and cataract and macular degeneration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and tonsillectomy due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder, right shoulder, and major depressive and anxiety disorders before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his right shoulder disability, as the previous one did not comply with the CAVC instructions in Correia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and DDD of the thoracic spine are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to August 8, 2017, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. From August 8, 2017 onwards, he does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The claim for a right pinky finger condition has been dismissed.,The claims for bilateral shoulder disability and residuals of frostbite of the left foot have been reopened, but are still pending as they were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for the low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative lumbosacral spine disease with congenital spinal stenosis, is also denied due to lack of a nexus between the current diagnosis and service.