Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeal for non-service-connected disability pension benefits and has remanded the service connection claims for left shoulder injury and right knee injury.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the issues regarding right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral pes planus, right hip condition, and right shoulder condition are still pending as they were previously denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right biceps tendonitis (claimed as a right shoulder disability) is being remanded due to the need for further action and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is also being considered for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder injury is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection. The Veteran was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff tear, but the VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to the Veteran's failure to authorize VA to obtain his treatment records from Dr. K.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder arthralgia and PTSD with alcohol abuse in early sustained remission require further evaluation due to worsening symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for generalized arthritis condition, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and back condition due to inadequate examinations that did not address whether his service-connected frostbite residuals caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome, status post release effective August 15, 2014 was improper and the 20 percent rating is restored. The RO also granted a 20 percent rating for right shoulder disability prior to May 25, 2018, but denied any rating in excess of 20 percent after July 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board.,His current service-connected conditions include right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, cervical radiculopathy, and left knee disability. The reasons given were that the evidence did not show a nexus between these disabilities and active service.

The Board denied service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or condition that could have caused the current disabilities.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum possible rating for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities have been rated at the maximum allowable ratings of 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. No higher rating is available under any other Diagnostic Code for either shoulder.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of entitlement is the day following his discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis has not been evaluated at the maximum allowable rating, and a VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of recent evidence.