Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right shoulder bursitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion sufficient to warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with MDD, left shoulder condition, right and left knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinnitus, and right knee condition, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is therefore eligible for TDIU.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders, as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to lack of pending claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) will be deferred until the increased rating claim is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, tendonitis, is caused by his service-connected right shoulder disability and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's other claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Workers' Compensation records and a VA examination addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder labral tear, status post repair is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The issues on appeal include service connection for various disabilities, as well as rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to reconcile conflicting medical evidence and provide opinions regarding the onset of his claimed disabilities.

The Board finds the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist DJD, and hepatitis C are related to service. The right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back, and respiratory disabilities are not shown to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of additional functional loss or impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and right shoulder disability. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) is remanded as it involves a new issue not previously addressed.