Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a temporary total convalescence rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected shoulder and elbow disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected right knee and right shoulder disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not warrant an earlier effective date than March 4, 2013, for a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and left knee condition have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression has been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated as a 10 percent evaluation, but no higher. The rating is based on mild arthritis in the joint and limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a disability of the bilateral upper extremity manifested by numbness (diagnosed as epicondylitis).

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases/home modifications under the vocational rehabilitation independent living plan is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated independent living assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to have been incurred in service due to a pre-existing injury that was aggravated by service. Tinnitus is presumed to be related to noise exposure during service. Hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and left shoulder disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's sleep apnea is more likely related to post-service weight gain, while his left shoulder disability was treated during service but no longer manifests symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his right shoulder disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his initial rating for mood disorder. The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for pilonidal disease and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current knee, back, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to service, as there are no records of treatment or complaints during service and the condition was first noted years after separation.,The Veteran's right wrist disability does not warrant a higher initial rating at any point since the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and bilateral knee disabilities, likely render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for his shoulder disability, and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than October 13, 2010 for the grants of service connection for neck disability, left shoulder disability, and hypertension have been denied. The RO found that these claims were not filed prior to October 13, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are not related to service. The claims for these disabilities have been denied.