Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to a fall during service, but no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue yet. His right ear hearing loss may be related to in-service noise exposure. His diabetes and erectile dysfunction are not caused by or worsened by his hypertension. A remand for further examination and development of records is required.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a mixed bony lesion of the right humerus (claimed as right shoulder condition) due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, including numbness of the right ear, right upper extremity to include shoulder and arm, and left arm. The Veteran's condition is linked to his in-service injury playing football.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including EBV and mononucleosis with residuals, chronic fatigue syndrome, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neck scar, Bell's palsy, GERD, chronic sinusitis, bilateral shoulder condition, left index finger injury, left index finger scar, and right ear hearing loss have been granted.,The Board found the preponderance of evidence supported the Veteran's claims for service connection based on his in-service diagnoses and continued symptoms.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his low back condition, left shoulder injury, neck condition, and dizziness or balance issues.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating claim for a scar on the left hand was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes. Service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and a left hand disorder were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate premises.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple shoulder and elbow conditions have been dismissed. The issues of increased rating for PTSD prior to August 22, 2012, are denied as the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating. As of August 22, 2012, the Veteran’s PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service connection claims were denied in a February 2006 rating decision. He filed to reopen the previously denied claims on January 10, 2011, and they were granted effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder with limited motion of the right shoulder and arm, as well as left breast reduction including a scar. The claim for neck impingement is dismissed due to pre-existing service-connected arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, DDD of the cervical spine with spasms, and DDD of the lumbosacral spine due to a lack of detailed range of motion findings and functional loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for left shoulder DJD with probable rotator cuff tear, claimed as bilateral arms, and right shoulder DJD with remote dislocation of AC, claimed as bilateral arms. This includes obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability and residuals of a fracture of the right cheek bone is denied.,A compensable rating (10%) for sensory deficit of distal tip of the right ring finger prior to January 28, 2016, is denied. A rating in excess of 10% for this condition beginning on January 28, 2016, is also denied.,A noncompensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the left zygoma with metal plate insertion remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic sinus disability, arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral elbows, right wrist, fingers, left ankle, and bilateral feet have been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has not met the criteria to be reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right hip disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the right hip claim. A menstrual disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 6, 2011 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for residuals, fracture left navicular bone is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show that his service-connected residuals, fracture left navicular bone caused or aggravated his left upper extremity disorders.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and lymphedema were not granted service connection.,A rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted from February 24, 2016 onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, but the right shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records.