Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder scars was also denied due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder condition, and residuals of a head injury has been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, including left rotator cuff tendonitis and partial rotator cuff tear. The claim for right rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading to a grant of a clothing allowance for the year 2014. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) have all been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and photophobia have been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of TDIU.,An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of DEA benefits.,A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for several shoulder and elbow disabilities, as well as carpal tunnel syndromes. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability and sleep disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to worsening symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability due to inadequate testing in the previous May 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s hemorrhoid disability and low back disability are also granted with respective ratings. Other issues related to service connection or increased ratings have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 and 20 percent for his left shoulder strain, chronic with degenerative changes. The issues are related to the severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scars of the bilateral shoulders and base of the neck was denied, but he was granted TDIU.

The claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, neck disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disability is denied.,The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica associated with his service-connected low back disability, including lower extremity numbness is granted. The claim for service connection for foot flop is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are all denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.