Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability has been denied. His left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have each been granted increased ratings of 20 percent, effective May 4, 2010.,The Veteran is still employed but reports that his knees limit him to part-time work due to their condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee condition and therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional search of his service records and a VA examination on his left shoulder disability, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are directly related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's low back strain was rated as 20 percent prior to May 15, 2017, and 10 percent from that date. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, which was allegedly injured during basketball while in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen the left shoulder disability was granted, but no new rating is assigned as his current 20% rating adequately compensates him.

The Veteran's right hand disability has been rated at 30 percent since March 2006. A separate 10 percent rating for nerve damage to the right hand digits is granted.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and shoulder disability, both secondary to service-connected right hand disability, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his right shoulder disability was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and knee disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease, are at least in relative equipoise with his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need to review the Veteran's medical history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The GERD issue remains pending as a new VA examination is required due to potential presumptive service connection under Gulf War criteria. The bilateral shoulder condition issue also requires further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting dislocations of the left shoulder were not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bursitis of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and panic attacks as the result of a VA bone scan on April 30, 2010.