Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Spondylosis with DDD, Right Shoulder Strain, and Pilonidal Cyst were granted effective December 16, 2011. The rating for PTSD was denied in excess of 70 percent, the rating for Spondylosis with DDD prior to June 11, 2015 was denied in excess of 10 percent, and the rating since June 11, 2015 was denied in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's postoperative right shoulder dislocation with early degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for a right hand disability is remanded as there are no current medical records or findings to support such an entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a lower extremity disability.,PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment prior to April 24, 2012. However, from that date onwards, the PTSD has been manifested by deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including calcific tendonitis and osteoarthritic changes of the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints, has not resulted in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. The Board denied a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral shoulder muscle spasms, chest muscle spasms, sinus disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back, knee, shoulder, and hamstring disabilities due to lack of updated treatment records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, right hand condition, LCL sprain of the left ankle, and denied service connection for scoliosis. The effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for effective dates earlier than December 7, 2011 for cervical spondylosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, groin disability, and epididymitis due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or etiological links to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to lack of recent VA or private treatment records and need for a new examination by an orthopedist and dermatologist.

The Veteran's hearing loss, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left shoulder bursitis have been granted service connection. A rating of 20 percent for the left shoulder bursitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection. The rating for his right knee condition remains remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and insufficient examination reports. The issues include sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral ear disorder (otitis externa), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral Achilles tendon disorder, residuals of osteotomy with genioplasty, and genital herpes.