Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches with photophobia and assigned a disability rating of 30 percent effective April 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, knee (pre-arthroplasty), hip, and foot heel spur conditions have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014. The ankle tendonitis has been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014 and 30 percent from October 17, 2014. The lumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted a noncompensable rating from January 1, 2008 to March 6, 2017, and a 20 percent rating from March 6, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for service connection of heel spurs, shoulder spurs/arthritis, and toe spurs/arthritis were denied as there was no evidence to support their relationship with service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, but was not aggravated by service. The right wrist disability is rated at 30%. The TDIU claim is denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus began within one year of active military service and is presumed to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and considering the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acne, coronary artery disease (CAD), PTSD, DISH, and a right shoulder disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for shoulder, arm and hand disorders and left leg and foot disorders due to their being inextricably intertwined with claims regarding neck and low back disorders. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual pain status post torn left rotator cuff of the left shoulder and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was granted, with a combined evaluation of 90 percent. The Veteran is now eligible for TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder disability. The VA has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right middle finger disability is rated at the maximum available evaluation (10%). The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or moderate paralysis, and thus a higher rating for his right middle finger disability is not warranted. For his left shoulder disability, the Board noted that there was no indication of chronicity within one year following service separation, and therefore presumptive service connection cannot be established. Service connection for the left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability was reopened and granted, with the right shoulder disability rated at 30 percent. The issues of service connection and increased rating were both resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine myositis, bilateral shoulder tendinitis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. However, the VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are related to in-service injuries.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is linked to a dislocated shoulder during deployment, while his lumbar spine disability is attributed to chronic sprain/strain with no evidence of scoliosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than November 30, 2012 for the grant of service connection for status post left shoulder dislocation with osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, but denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and right shoulder disorder. The claim for reopening the right shoulder disorder was also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral shoulder disabilities. This includes verifying any claimed stressor events, obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric conditions, and determining whether his current shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, and his right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.