Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 30% disabling since October 13, 2014. The evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the effective date being from the date of receipt of his application. The combined disability rating is at least 70% due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes degenerative arthritis and residual scars from rotator cuff surgery, does not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent. The evidence shows pain, reduced range of motion, popping, non-painful linear scarring, and loss of function in the left shoulder. However, there is no evidence showing limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or unstable/painful scars.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and he has a compensable disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the legs is rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings due to lack of ulceration or massive edema.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder (presumably insomnia) as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the legs. Service connection is also denied for left shoulder pain as not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in or were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and is REMANDING the remaining claims (left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions) to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, requires additional development and an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's abdomen scar does not exceed the required criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's back scar also does not meet the requirements for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from December 1990 to May 1991 is considered qualifying. The Board finds that the Veteran's joint pain, which has been present for more than six consecutive months and meets criteria for a presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities are proximately caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis, heart disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome have not been met due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is found to have caused his coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board grants the claim for service connection for CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastric ulcer has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that his current gastric ulcer is related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and he is considered unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right shoulder disability, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.