Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for further evaluation to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders are being remanded for further evaluation to determine if they are related to his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder, Adjustment Disorder with Depressed and Anxious Features, Panic Attacks), and foot problems. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, including for sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, dermatitis, hernia, low back disability, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The issues are related to reopening previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with osteoarthritis and left shoulder tendonitis have been rated, but the claim for increased ratings remains denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of a bilateral shoulder disability, and that there is no nexus between his heart disabilities, hypertension, kidney disabilities (nephrolithiasis and chronic renal disease), or dyslexia and his active military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded.

The claim for service connection for left-shoulder tendonitis, to include as secondary to service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain is denied. The claim for a compensable disability rating for right-tibial stress fracture, involving the right ankle is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and left knee arthritis are granted. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings of at least 10 percent for his left knee lateral instability and limitation of extension.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, as well as residuals of a right ankle fracture. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current shoulder or ankle condition to events in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right shoulder disability and left rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been denied. The initial rating for the right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent, while a higher rating is not warranted. For the left shoulder disability after July 7, 2010, the Veteran's current 20 percent rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective May 21, 2015. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service, including an injury during parachute training in 2013 and a weight-lifting incident in Iraq.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left calf are rated at 20 percent effective March 10, 2010. The Board also remanded several issues related to shell fragment wounds for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and bilateral hand and thumb disorders may be related to his service, but an additional VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.