Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 40 percent, has not worsened to the point where a higher rating can be granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disease of the acromioclavicular joint.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the right shoulder disability, which is claimed as secondary to a service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder arthritis and left shoulder disability. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal/bowel disorder may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left elbow disability. The initial rating for the left elbow disability prior to January 25, 2013 was denied and from that date onwards it is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for a sleep disability remains pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, left knee strain, right patellar tendonitis, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral wrist strain, and bilateral shoulder strain.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and seizures due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on the right shoulder, trapezius strain with cervical spine impairment, and depressive disorder have been dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating of depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's housebound status is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities, particularly headaches, are the primary cause of his inability to leave his home.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 20% and denied an increased rating.,Prior to December 29, 2014, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10%, and after that date it was rated at 20%. Both ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on left shoulder disability, right inguinal hernia disability, and GERD are remanded. Additionally, the claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a back disability, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right wrist disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder calcific tendonitis and scapular enchondroma is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records of his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claim for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of various joints and peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy. These include shoulder, spine, hip, knee conditions as well as bilateral lower extremity conditions.

The Board has referred the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disorder to the AOJ. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination and an addendum opinion from an orthopedic surgeon.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with left arm sprain, finding that there was no evidence prior to August 25, 2014 of a formal or informal claim for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right shoulder, left wrist, left leg, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and facial disabilities. The Veteran's claims for myofascial pain syndrome (right pectoral muscle), right foot disability (right great toe), nasal disability, hemorrhoids, mole on the outside of his right knee, and bruxism are pending.