Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral shoulder condition. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to noise, while his bilateral shoulder condition is not considered related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits documents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a traumatic brain injury due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but not for bilateral hearing loss or PTSD with major depressive disorder.,An effective date prior to September 25, 2007 for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for his right bicep and shoulder disabilities has been granted. Service connection is established, and a 20 percent disability rating for the right shoulder disability is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the reopening of a claim for service connection for a neck condition and the increased rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis. Other claims are also being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. Right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear during the appeal period. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted a rating of at least 20 percent from September 28, 2009 to May 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee arthritis with left leg shin splints, and right knee arthritis with right leg shin splints. The Veteran will be provided additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing disability under the VA criteria. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year after separation, and his left ear hearing loss did not meet the VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's claim for higher rating for service-connected right shoulder disability prior to April 18, 2017 is remanded as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to shoulder level or midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain, anterior cruciate ligament repair of the left knee, and partial iliectomy of the terminal ileum with irritable colon syndrome are all rated as they should be based on their respective conditions. The initial rating for chronic left shoulder strain is denied, while a higher rating is granted for residuals of talus and ligamentous repair of the right ankle.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any left shoulder disability, as well as whether it existed prior to service or is related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder impingement was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, and the current 20% rating adequately reflects his symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right shoulder scar was denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7801-7804.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disability, higher ratings for lichen planus and right shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to in-service injuries, and also whether it is secondary to her neck condition. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection is denied for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral achilles heel disorder, psoriatic arthritis with vasculitis, and a bilateral knee condition.

The Board dismissed appeals for higher ratings for left shoulder strain and the residuals of left knee arthroplasty. The claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, but the right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for plantar wart, right foot and a right shoulder disability have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, diverticulosis, epididymitis, hernia, and left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and for a temporary total disability evaluation based on hospital treatment following a surgical procedure of the right shoulder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection, as her current right shoulder disability is not related to her military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment information. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.